This is the dramatic moment a bus stop collapsed during the Notting Hill Carnival after a group of revellers danced on its roof, as partygoers returned to the streets of West London for the first event since 2019.
A huge crowd watching people on top of the Kensal House bus shelter on Ladbroke Grove were heard to gasp and exclaim in shock as the top gave way and the revellers fell onto the pavement, nearly crushing four people below.
Two people suffered minor injuries but did not need further treatment after the incident, which came at the end of ‘family day’ which saw bright and dazzling costumes as the carnival procession made its way along the streets.
And Scotland Yard revealed there had been 38 arrests made by 7.30pm last night – including ten for assault, two for sexual assault and others for drug possession, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon.
Meanwhile one video showed two men punching each other before being pulled apart by others, after people around them were dancing and singing ‘Don’t Worry About A Thing’ to Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds.
In addition, a police horse died on duty last night after collapsing at about 9pm. It received emergency care but died at the scene. It is too early to determine the cause of death and there will be an investigation, officers said.
The total number of arrests at the 2019 event was 353, compared to 374 in 2018, 313 in 2017 and 454 in 2016. The Metropolitan Police said the most recent carnival in 2019 cost it £8.6million to police. The festival does however brings hundreds of thousands of tourists into London and creates an estimated £120million for the economy.
Notting Hill Carnival is the largest street carnival in Europe and an estimated two million people are expected to attend over the course of the Bank Holiday weekend. The carnival first started in 1966, when about 1,000 people attended, and is a popular way for African and Caribbean communities to celebrate their culture and traditions.
The video begins with a woman dancing on top of Kensal House bus stop on Ladbroke Grove in West London yesterday
More people then join the woman to dance or stand on top of the bus shelter during the Notting Hill Carnival yesterday
The bus shelter on Ladbroke Grove in West London can be seen starting to collapse as several people walk underneath it
The revellers who were on top of the shelter end up on the pavement after it collapses, prompting gasps from the crowd
The group of revellers were dancing on top of the bus stop on Ladbroke Grove at Notting Hill Carnival last night
The roof of the bus stop finally buckled and gave way under their weight as the group were sent sprawling to the floor
The incident caused chaos at Notting Hill Carnival in West London yesterday as festivalgoers struggled to get out of the way
Another video filmed at the Notting Hill Carnival yesterday showed two men punching each other before being pulled apart
Yesterday’s fight came after people were dancing and singing ‘Don’t Worry About A Thing’ to Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds
Yesterday kicked off with members of the Emancipated Run Crew – dressed in green in tribute to those who died at Grenfell – beginning the parade and marking the official launch of Notting Hill Carnival.
Crowds of young children blowing whistles danced down the streets with their parents in tow. Co-founder of the club Jules Stephenson said: ‘It (the atmosphere) is electric – everyone is so excited about carnival being back.’
The two-day festival has had a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Elsewhere, Carina Charles, 40, a nurse from Basildon, said: ‘I like the togetherness of the people and the mixture of the culture.
‘My Caribbean music, the soca music is what I love the most. Everybody is jovial – they are excited after coming out of lockdown after three years.’
Different sound systems dotted around the streets of West London entertained the dancing crowds as revellers smiled to the booming music.
Police lead a man to a police van at the end of the day during the Notting Hill Carnival in West London last night
Police carry a person on a fabric stretcher through the street at the Notting Hill Carnival in West London last night
Police patrol during the Notting Hill Carnival in West London last night after it returned following two years off
Carnival-goers at the Notting Hill Carnival in London last night which is back for the first time since 2019
Police patrol during the Notting Hill Carnival in West London last night as people gathered to celebrate the festival
Police stand by huge amounts of rubbish during the Notting Hill Carnival in West London last night
Rubbish from Notting Hill Carnival stacked up ready to be cleared in front of boarded-up properties last night
Three young women walk wrapped in flags during the family day at the Notting Hill Carnival in London last night
Rubbish from Notting Hill Carnival in West London are cleared last night ahead of the festival restarting this morning
Small children standing on the doorsteps of their houses waved Jamaican flags and waved at passers-by.
Shauna Walsh, 38, who lives in Kensal Rise, said: ‘The atmosphere has been really uplifting and warming – it is nice to be back.’
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: ‘As a Londoner I’m really pleased carnival is back.’
He said carnival was celebrating Caribbean culture, heritage, and history and there was a ‘pent up’ demand for festivities this year.
He added: ‘We think it’s going to be the biggest and best ever.’
But Mr Khan also warned the cost-of-living crisis had affected the carnival.
Thousands of people attended the Notting Hill Carnival yesterday, which has not been held since 2019 due to the pandemic
Dancers in the procession yesterday wore bright costumes with elaborate headdresses plumed with bird feathers
Festival goers celebrated the Notting Hill Carnival during yesterday’s procession through West London
A reveller dances next to a police officer at the Notting Hill Carnival in London yesterday
Large crowds enjoy the music yesterday as Notting Hill Carnival returned after the Covid hiatus
The carnival is normally an annual event on the streets of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (pictured yesterday)
He said: ‘We are seeing those who want to have floats, those who want to have sound systems, pulling out because they can’t afford to pay their bills.’
Farah Mokaddem, 32, travelled from Geneva to attend Notting Hill Carnival this year. She said: ‘I always wanted to go here.’
She added: ‘The atmosphere is very animated: everyone is on their balconies and on the terrace. And people of all ages are watching as people go past.’
Paul Wright, 36, an account manager from Ealing, said: ‘There’s a great atmosphere, everyone seems to be having a good time. I think there’s more people here for a good time rather than any incidents.’
He added that it was a ‘nice thing’ where everyone came together and had a nice time. Mr Wright joked: ‘The weather can always be better.’
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11156047/Notting-Hill-Carnival-Bus-stop-collapses-police-horse-dies-dozens-people-arrested.html
