David Cassidy in the News
Father criticizes security at pop concert
May 28, 1974
The Times
Staff Reporter
Security arrangements at David Cassidy's pop concert at the White City, London, on Sunday night were criticized yesterday by Mr Peter Wheeler whose daughter was seriously ill in hospital yesterday, after being crushed there.
Bernadette Wheeler, aged 14, who had queued for 12 hours to get a seat, suffered a cardiac arrest in the crush when girls tried to get near the American singer. Yesterday she was in the emergency wing of Hammersmith Hospital, London. Mr. Cassidy sent her flowers.
Three other girls were admitted, two with severe abdominal pains. More than 700 had to be treated after the concert, which was attended, by 35,OOQ. Mr and Mrs Wheelen, from Stockwell, said after visiting their daughter that they had found she was in hospital only yesterday morning after she failed to return home. Mr. Wheelen, aged 53, said: 'Safety arrangements at pop concerts leave a lot to be desired.'
Mel Bush Organisation Ltd, promoters of the concert, last night denied that security was inadequate, but said they would see if anything more could be done. Many girls had feigned illness in the hope of being taken backstage.
