Music festival descends into chaos as police use pepper spray to break up drunk brawlers in an ambulance tent and one reveller hijacks a boat
- ‘Drunk patron’ on board party boat accidentally knocked lever veering the ship
- The boat scraped against a jetty on Saturday night, causing significant damage
- Police were called as drunken patrons began fighting one another afterwards
- Venue is now being investigated for potentially breaching Covid protocol
A wild new musical festival descended into chaos after drunk patrons started fighting among themselves and a party boat veered towards a jetty.
Police were called to the Gold Coast Vibez festival at Couran Cove at 8.30pm on Saturday after an ‘intoxicated’ guest knocked a control lever on the boat, pushing it into a nearby pier.
As water police responded to the initial complaint, security raised further concerns about ‘a number of intoxicated patrons’ who had started fighting among themselves.
Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles said officers were forced to use capsicum spray to stop several of the attendees from fighting.
Bodycam footage from the event shows partygoers staggering around, with one even falling to the floor and needing the help of friends to stand.
Police were called to the Gold Coast Vibez festival at Couran Cove about 8.30pm on Saturday after an ‘intoxicated’ guest knocked a control lever on the boat, pushing it into a nearby jetty
A wild new musical festival descended into chaos after drunk patrons started fighting among themselves and a party boat veered towards a jetty
Crowds were ferried back to the mainland and eventually dispersed.
While nobody was fined or arrested on the night, police are now investigating whether the venue breached its Covid-safe plan or alcohol licensing restrictions.
Superintendent Knowles explained the Queensland Ambulance Service tent that was set up at the festival was overrun by partygoers.
As a result, an extra ten police had to be called to provide back up onto South Stradbroke Island.
While nobody was fined or arrested on the night, police are now investigating whether the venue breached its Covid-safe plan or alcohol licensing restrictions
Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles said officers were forced to use capsicum spray to stop several of the attendees from fighting
‘We effectively shut the event down and had the attendees transported back to the mainland,’ he said.
‘It’s atrocious, that sort of behaviour is completely unwarranted. To intimidate and overrun the facility is completely uncalled for.’
A second local festival held at the Gold Coast Turf Club was placed on high alert and temporarily suspended on Saturday over concerns about social distancing requirements.
Police have warned revelers and event organisers to stay alert and aware of Covid restrictions, particularly approaching Australia Day on Tuesday.
While nobody was fined or arrested on the night, police are now investigating whether the venue breached its Covid-safe plan or alcohol licensing restrictions
