Keith Urban's Saturday (July 26) stop at the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, Mass., apparently turned into a drunken mess as up to 46 people were treated for alcohol related illnesses and 50 people were taken into protective custody due to intoxication. All told, 22 concert goers were transported to local hospitals, while more than a dozen others taken into custody due to "alcohol related offenses."  Things were so bad, officials had to activate "a phase one EMS plan", which included ambulances from five surrounding communities. More than 18,000 attended the show.

The Xfinity Center Public Relations Department later released a statement saying,

“Last night we hosted more than 18,000 Country Music fans in Mansfield. Our team works hard to offer a great concert experience for fans and an overwhelming majority of fans enjoyed the concert, there were approximately 20 people that were transported to the local hospital mostly with non-serious, alcohol-related symptoms.”

The Mansfield Police & Fire Departments issued a joint press release on the events of the evening:

Police, Fire and Xfinity staff employ a unified command approach implemented in 2013 that is extremely effective in dealing with public safety.

 

Last evening’s Keith Urban concert was not anticipated to present with the volume of issues handled, but measures were in place to provide appropriate and adequate care and protection to all patrons. As a result, although there was a higher than expected volume, appropriate care was available through the expandable model.

 

In total Fire and EMS attended to 46 medicals resulting in 22 transports mostly alcohol related. The large number of medicals in a shortened time of approximately three hours caused the activation of a phase one EMS plan utilizing ambulances from five mutual aid communities.

 

Police dealt with a steady stream of intoxicated persons as well, resulting in over 50 people being taken into protective custody and a number of others arrested for alcohol-related issues.

 

We would like to commend all those working the concert from ushers, to security, to the Police, EMS, and Fire personnel who worked and the local hospitals for their professionalism and resilient efforts during this busy show. Although all public safety personnel experienced a high volume of activity, the unified command model provided the flexibility to expand and meet the emerging needs as they began and provide the services required.

 

—Fire Chief Neal Boldrighini Police Chief Ronald Sellon Town of Mansfield Ma

 

Urban seemed to be unaware of the events of the evening in a video posted Sunday thanking the Boston area fans for their turnout.

Alcohol consumption is an ongoing concern at summertime concerts as pre-show tailgating remains popular. Recently, a 22-year-old man disappeared during a Jason Aldean concert in Cleveland and was later found dead after he fell five stories down a garbage chute. The accident has been blamed on alleged intoxication. Some venues, including Pittsburgh’s PNC Park, are placing restrictions on tailgating after parking lots have been trashed and arrests made before shows have started.

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