Police rule out organisers' negligence over Sonisphere injuries

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Police do not believe the organisers of last weekend's Sonisphere heavy metal festival in Pori bear responsibility - through carelessness or negligence - for the injuries caused when a freak storm or downburst hit the festival site on Sunday afternoon.
      Some forty people were injured, two of them seriously, as the clouds opened and the wind blew down one stage and sent equipment flying.
     
"This was not a case of negligence or any criminal action. The natural forces that were unleashed were on such a scale that it is not possible to blame the event organisers for the destruction that was caused", Det. Insp. Erik Salonsaari reported to the Finnish News Agency on Monday.
      The two most seriously injured persons, apparently struck by flying objects, have been taken off the critical list and are said to be in a stable condition in hospital. Most of the injuries caused by the storm were minor, for example from people falling over as parts of the festival site became a mudbath.
      The Ministry of the Interior Anne Holmlund (National Coalition Party) also gave the organisers a clean bill of health, and praised the work of those who took part in the rescue work in the aftermath of the brief but extremely powerful storm.
     
By all accounts, the festival audience also deserves a pat on the back, as despite the conditions and long delays there was no crowd trouble, and the artists who did eventually get to play were unanimous in their praise for the fans.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Intense storms hit Helsinki area and Pori (9.8.2010)

Links:
  Sonisphere Finland

Helsingin Sanomat