You Don't Review Tragedy

From Rock …

… To Shock

By ALLAN WALTON

(Staff Writer of Daily News)

CINCINNATI — This was supposed to be a concert review. But you don’t review tragedy.

In the aftermath of last night’s stampede at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Coliseum, which claimed 11 lives, it is a sobering thought to reflect on the unknowing, smiling faces who thought they enjoyed a concert.

Arriving prior to the tragedy and having access to the pass gate, I did not witness or even hear about the deaths until I was on the other side of Cincinnati traveling home — more than three hours after the horror occurred.

And even then, the radio reports were sketchy and unconfirmed.

Apparently I was in the majority. No announcements were made before, during or after “The Who” concert, and news of the frenzy did not filter into the press section or box seats.

But there were signs something had gone awry.

Even at the pass gate, a tightly-bunched gathering of ticket holders had assembled. The security guard stopped me and another couple as we snaked our way into the crowd and popped out at the pass gate.

Asking me where I was headed, the guard motioned to the crowd and, ironically, said, “All of these people have tickets, but you’re just gonna trample over them to get in. Is that it?”

But he let me into the Coliseum.

On the opposite side of the gigantic concrete edifice — perhaps no more than a few minutes later — his words proved prophetic.

By mid-afternoon, a large crowd had gathered outside the Coliseum; many of them ticket holders, some just hoping to bolt into the arena. The policy of general admission seating prompts a mad rush for the best seats available, and at least half of the concert seating had been sold general admission.

The gates were to open at 7 p.m., but reports indicate the crowd rushed the gates, pushing some persons through the glass doors. Cincinnati safety officials have said some of the 11 dead were crushed to death, some may have suffocated and others may have succumbed of trauma.

At least eight others reportedly sustained serious injuries, while some 20 others were treated at area hospitals for minor problems.

The concert went on as scheduled, reportedly because officials feared

(See FROM ROCK on Page 10.)