During a free Montreal Jazz Festival concert, six individuals were transported to the hospital on Saturday night. Both organizers and Urgences-santé confirmed that the event was managed as anticipated. A large crowd of festival attendees gathered to witness Quebec’s renowned masked band, Angine de Poitrine.
Benjamin Dansereau, a spokesperson for Urgences-santé, mentioned that medical teams treated 10 individuals for various medical issues, including falls and intoxication. Of the 10, six were taken to the hospital, while four declined transportation. Dansereau indicated that some of the hospitalized individuals were in a more critical but non-life-threatening state. He reassured that such occurrences were not uncommon during peak summer periods and that they were adequately prepared for them.
Dansereau commended the swift response of emergency crews and their effective handling of the situation. He advised attendees to stay hydrated, find shade or cooler areas if feeling overheated or dizzy, and remain vigilant in crowded settings.
One festivalgoer, Robert Mark, described Saturday’s event as overwhelming, noting the challenges faced by attendees trying to navigate the massive crowd. Despite the congestion, Mark appreciated seeing families with young children and fans dressed in polka dots paying homage to the band’s distinctive outfits.
Maurin Auxéméry, the Montreal Jazz Festival’s programming director, expressed satisfaction with how the event unfolded. He praised his team for maintaining control and handling the situation effectively. The organizers had anticipated the large turnout, bolstered security measures, and executed their plan seamlessly. Auxéméry highlighted the remarkable turnout, comparing it to the crowd size during Stevie Wonder’s 2009 performance and emphasizing the significance of a local band attracting such a substantial audience in downtown Montreal.