Traumatic asphyxia following stadium crowd surge: stadium factors affecting outcome

Stadium crowd surges frequently occur following major athletic events. A recent crowd surge injured more than 80 persons by trampling and/or crushing. This incident was reviewed to identify injury patterns consistent with crush-related injury. In addition, the incident was reviewed to determine which stadium policy and design factors may have potentiated this event.

A recent crowd surge occurred following a college football game. This resulted in 86 people being transported to the University of Wisconsin and other area hospitals. All charts were reviewed to evaluate patient outcomes. The stadium was examined as were security system video tapes to evaluate stadium factors that contributed to this event. Current policies were obtained through the university sports administration.

Of 86 patients transported for evaluation of stadium-related injuries, 10 were treated for traumatic asphyxia. Other injuries requiring hospital admission included musculo-skeletal trauma in two patients and one grade II liver injury. Six others were admitted overnight for observation. Several stadium factors were identified that contributed to the event, and appropriate changes in crowd control policies and stadium design were instated to prevent recurrence.

This report details the largest single report of traumatic asphyxia second to the England Hillsborough disaster. Several stadium factors were identified that resulted in crush-related injury. Cooperative review and modification of stadium policies and design may prevent such events in the future.