During a free concert at the Montreal Jazz Festival on Saturday night, six individuals were transported to the hospital, according to organizers and Urgences-santé. The event proceeded as planned, with large crowds of festival attendees converging on the site to catch a glimpse of Quebec’s iconic masked band, Angine de Poitrine.
Emergency medical crews treated a total of 10 people for various medical issues, including falls and intoxication. Of the 10 individuals, six were taken to the hospital, while four declined transportation. Urgences-santé spokesperson Benjamin Dansereau noted that some of those hospitalized were in stable but non-life-threatening conditions, emphasizing that these numbers were within the expected range for such events.
Dansereau reassured that the emergency response teams acted swiftly and effectively, urging festival attendees to stay hydrated, find shade or cool spaces if feeling overheated or dizzy, and remain vigilant in large crowds to ensure safety.
One festivalgoer, Robert Mark, described the event as overwhelming, noting the challenges of navigating through the massive crowd towards the stage. Despite the crowd size, Mark appreciated seeing families with children and fans dressed in homage to the band’s distinctive polka dot costumes.
The festival organizers expressed satisfaction with the event’s management. Maurin Auxéméry, the director of programming for the Montreal Jazz Festival, commended the team for their handling of the situation, stating that they were well-prepared for the high turnout. Security measures were heightened, and the plan was executed successfully throughout the evening.
Auxéméry highlighted the magnitude of the crowd, comparing it to the turnout at Stevie Wonder’s 2009 performance. He lauded the success of a local band like Angine de Poitrine in drawing such a large audience to downtown Montreal, terming it a privilege.
The concert, which saw access to Place des Festivals closed before the show, was described as remarkable by Auxéméry, showcasing the festival’s ability to attract significant crowds and deliver memorable performances.
Overall, the festival organizers and emergency response teams are content with the outcome of the event, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and crowd safety in such gatherings.
