Teenager taken to hospital after being crushed in crowd of fans seeing famous YouTube stars
The chaos that unfolded outside Nine's studio became so out of control that multiple people were injured and one teen was rushed to hospital.
One teenage boy has been taken to hospital and multiple others have been injured after YouTube stars Logan Paul and KSI’s appearance on Nine’s Today program sent fans into a frenzy.
The boy, understood to be 14, was transported to Sydney Children’s Hospital just after 8.30am Monday in a serious condition after reportedly falling down in the enormous crowd, Daily Telegraph reported.
Ambulance crews arrived to find multiple other crowd members in need of assistance the North Sydney location, including a security guard that fell after getting stuck behind the cement barricade that was meant to be protecting him from the crowd.
Frenzied fans pressed towards the barricade and knocked it down after the duo announced they would be handing out their Prime drinks on ground level, instead of from the balcony.
Police split into packs in a manoeuvre to calm the crowd and provide assistance to people that had fallen.
Officers called off the duo coming downstairs and instructed crowds to walk to collect one of the energy drinks and leave in an orderly manner.
As crowds left however, they disrupted nearby traffic with one man attempting a “shoey” and a group of fans on the road cheering him on.
“We love you guys so much thanks for showing up,” Paul said from the studio’s balcony.
Earlier, hundreds of eager young men camped outside the studio overnight for a chance to catch a glimpse of Paul and KSI.
Chaotic scenes were captured early Monday morning where crowds had already been waiting hours in anticipation of the arrival of YouTube personalities Logan Paul and KSI.
The duo arrived in Sydney after being mobbed by droves of hardcore fans in Perth, where they were last week as part of their national tour and to watch the UFC.
Paul, who describes himself an “artist, boxer and wrestler”, has more than 23 million subscribers on YouTube and last year announced his drink company partnership with KSI.
The pair founded the drink Prime, which became the Premier League team Arsenal’s official drink, and is expected to feature heavily at UFC fighting events.
Insane energy https://t.co/kcHd13Ibhe
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) February 12, 2023
Paul and KSI spoke with Today hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo during Monday’s program, revealing fans in Perth were particularly “feral”.
“We met with some pretty feral fans. I’ve got to say,” Paul told the hosts.
The duo were taken out to the studio’s balcony in North Sydney where they greeted the enormous gathering of fans.
Using a megaphone, KSI promped the crowd into an “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oi, oi, oi” chant.
“This is a surreal moment,” Paul said.
Asked how the duo handled being constantly surrounded by so much hype, KSI said he didn’t think they did.
“I don’t think we manage it. I honestly don’t know how we do this,” he said.
Fans were also promised a bottle of Prime from the pair to “stay hydrated”.
After battling through the noice of the crowd and trying to interview the stars, Stefanovic eventually gave in.
“Alright. We will let you enjoy it. I can’t hear a bloody thing. Enjoy it, guys,” he said.
Paul and KSI said they will head to Melbourne next and eventually India and South Africa.
Fans outside the building earlier told Nine they thought Paul was “an inspirational guy, inspirational man” and the pair were “amazing people”.
“I love them with my whole heart,” one crazed fan said.
Fans have camped out the night outside the the @Channel9 building, all hoping to catch a glimpse of social media sensations @LoganPaul and @KSI#9Today | WATCH LIVE 5.30am pic.twitter.com/mf1GsZLLdX
— The Today Show (@TheTodayShow) February 12, 2023
Police were called in to ensure the rowdy group, which is speculated to have grown to more than 1000 people, in check.
Stefanovic described them a “good crowd” that emitted the “sweet smell of Lynx Africa”.
“It’s going to be energy filled, it’s going to be action packed, and hold onto your hats,” he told viewers.
One mischievous crowd member was shooed away from Stefanovic after putting his arm around him during the segment.
“He can cuddle me man, just let the guy cuddle me,” the host ordered, informing viewers that “security is on hand and everything will be OK”.
Some other rowdy revellers then invaded the interaction, one putting a neon green bucket hat on his head and another barging in with his handheld camera.
“Perfect Monday morning. This is the life, we love it,” Stefanovic said.
Woolworths last week were forced to pull the plug on its official launch of Prime, which Paul and KSI had been scheduled to appear for.
The pait were to appear at Midvale Central Shopping Centre in Perth to officially launch their hugely successful sports drink in Australia on February 11.
The supermarket however, which has secured the exclusive rights to sell the drink after its viral success overseas, had to cancel the event after receiving advice from WA Police.
“Following a safety and security review and with the advice of WA Police, our security providers and the City of Swan we are not satisfied in the interests of public safety for this event to occur at the Midvale Central Shopping Centre car park on Saturday, February 11,” a spokesperson for the supermarket said.
“We know this is disappointing for customers and fans of Prime drinks, however public safety must come first.”
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