Investigation launched into JLS crush

An investigation has been launched into how dozens of people were injured as JLS performed at a Christmas lights switch-on in Birmingham yesterday.

Victoria Royce-Pagett, who was at the event with her daughter, told Sky News that it was a frightening experience.

She said: "The frenzy started and people started running towards the front and we got caught within the crowds, so we had no choice but to go with the flow.

"It was extraordinarily terrifying for myself and my daughter."

Rachel Liddiard and Martin Krol filmed the incident on a mobile phone and gave the footage to the BBC.

In the recording, Mrs Liddiard can be heard saying: "All hell has broken loose.

"Look what they [the crowd] have done. There are a load of people on the floor and policemen are picking them up. People just don't care, they've just lost it."

"People are going to get killed. I think I should phone the police and say they need riot guys down here. They've lost control," Mr Krol stated.

Martin Mullaney, in charge of leisure, sport and culture at Birmingham City Council, said that the authority would be looking into exactly what went wrong.

He added: "I fully support the joint decision to abandon the concert because public safety has to be our immediate concern.

"I would sooner read headlines about red faces than read headlines about a tragedy. I'm sorry a lot of people went home disappointed and there will be a full investigation into what went wrong and what lessons can be learned for the future."