Sourcenews.com.au
Typevideo
Sectionnational/fans-told-to-evacuate-peter-kay-gig-due-to-suspicious-bag
Author
Comedian Peter Kay was rushed off stage and the audience were told to evacuate at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Friday evening, May 1, after a “potential suspicious bag was found,” West Midlands Police said in a statement online. “A 19-year-old man is in custody and as a precaution the site is currently subject of a search,” police said. Attendees said Kay was about 45 minutes into his performance when the show came to an abrupt halt. Video from attendee Richard Neville shows the moment a man announced the incident on stage and instructed attendees to evacuate the venue, leaving audience members baffled. The Utilita Arena Birmingham also issued a statement, saying the arena had “been evacuated as a precaution on the advice of West Midlands Police.” “We can confirm everyone was safely evacuated and that the venue is secure,” it said. “Ticket holders will be contacted directly in due course.” The arena has a capacity of 15,800 and was scheduled to host another Peter Kay performance on Saturday night, according to Sky News. Credit: Richard Neville via Storyful