23 injured in Hendon festival crush after fire closes gates
Metropolitan Police declared a major incident at Ghana Party in the Park on 1 August 2026
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Twenty-three people were injured at a festival in Hendon on 1 August 2026 after a crush at the entrance to Ghana Party in the Park. The incident occurred at Copthall Playing Fields shortly after 6pm, following a small fire near the event gates.
Metropolitan Police said organisers closed the gates temporarily after the fire. When they reopened, a crowd that had gathered outside surged forward. Officers formed a barrier between the crowd and people who had fallen to the ground.
Ghana Party in the Park closed early after entrance crush injures attendees
Barnet Council and police confirm overcrowding at Copthall Playing Fields led to non-life-threatening injuries
Police, paramedics and firefighters provided medical care at the scene. Four fire engines and a Fire Rescue Unit attended. Three people were taken to hospital; all injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
Event closed early after major incident declared
The festival, which was scheduled to end at 9pm, was closed early after police declared a major incident due to overcrowding. Attendees left the site without further incident, police said.
Three hospitalised after fire and crowd surge at Barnet festival
Ghana Party in the Park at Copthall Playing Fields ended early following a crush at the entrance gates
Ghana Party in the Park is an annual event celebrating Ghanaian music, culture, food and fashion. It has taken place at Copthall Playing Fields since 2005 and typically attracts more than 8,000 people, according to the London Assembly.
What happens next
Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade have not confirmed whether investigations into the incident are underway. Barnet Council, which manages Copthall Playing Fields, has not commented on whether it will review event safety arrangements.
Event organisers have not issued a public statement since the incident. It is unclear whether Ghana Party in the Park will return to Copthall Playing Fields in 2027.
Questions this report answers
+How many people were injured at the Hendon festival?
Twenty-three people sustained non-life-threatening injuries at Ghana Party in the Park on 1 August 2026. Three were taken to hospital, while the others were treated at the scene by emergency services.
+Why was the festival in Hendon closed early?
Metropolitan Police declared a major incident due to overcrowding after a crush at the entrance. The event, scheduled to end at 9pm, was closed early to prevent further injuries.
+What caused the crush at the festival entrance?
A small fire near the entrance led organisers to close the gates temporarily. When the gates reopened, a crowd that had built up outside surged forward, causing the crush.
+Will Ghana Party in the Park return to Hendon next year?
It is unclear whether the event will return to Copthall Playing Fields in 2027. Organisers have not issued a statement about future plans following the incident.
Barnet Press News Desk
This article was written at the Barnet Press news desk from the reporting of the outlets listed below it. Drafting is done by a language model under human editorial supervision — there is no reporter behind this byline, and we would rather say so than invent one.
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