CAMDEN, NJ — Shortly after 10 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 5, Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa were out at a secondary stage at the BB&T Pavilion in Camden, NJ, near Philadelphia, getting fans pumped. Suddenly, the rail separating the fans on the lawn from the performers collapsed, and about 50 people tumbled forward, dropping on top of each other onto a concrete surface several feet below. Forty-two people, including Live Nation staff, were treated for injuries, according to reports.
Of the injured, 31 were taken to area hospitals with injuries ranging from contusions to broken bones. One patient was listed in critical but stable condition with an upper body injury. Security personnel quickly escorted the performers from the area and the concert was canceled.
“We were saddened that several dozen people, including Live Nation employees, sustained injuries resulting from a railing section collapse during the Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa concert at Camden’s BB&T Pavilion on Friday night,” Live Nation said, in a statement. “Live Nation is closely following the recovery of the injured fans and employees as well as actively working with authorities and structural engineers to determine the cause of the collapse.”
Officials with the city of Camden noted that the venue had been in compliance with required inspections. There was no indication as to why the rail, a permanent fixture rather than a temporary barricade, gave way. Officials inspecting the area on Aug. 6 found it to be broken in sections and damaged in others.
Although investigations into the damaged rail were continuing, the 7,000-seat outdoor amphitheater, which can accommodate up to 25,000 with outdoor events, resumed operations the next day, hosting an “I Love the 90s” concert featuring Salt-N-Pepa, Vanilla Ice and others. The amphitheater opened in 1995.
Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa continue their “High Road Tour” with dats set through Aug. 24.
