40 injured in stampede at Pretoria church event

11 October 2015 - 12:32 By News24 Correspondent, News24
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At least 40 people were injured when a stampede broke out at a Pretoria church event on Sunday morning, paramedics said.

The stampede took place shortly before 08:00 at the Tshwane Events Centre.

"Several people indicated to paramedics…they were gathering outside the closed gate when people started pushing from the back to gain access," said ER24 spokesperson Werner Vermaak.

"The gate eventually burst open and some people fell to the ground with other people falling and trampling over them."

Vermaak said amongst those most seriously injured was a woman in her 60s who had severe pelvic injuries, as well as a man in his late 30s whose knees were badly hurt.

Thirteen of the injured people were taken to hospital.

"Some of the people that sustained minor injuries declined to be transported to hospital and indicated they would go back to the church event," Vermaak said.

Source: News24

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