Horror as teen plunges from theatre balcony during show

A teenager has been taken to hospital after falling from an upper circle balcony during a performance of Grease at Blackpool's Grand Theatre this evening, police say.
The emergency services were called to the theatre at around 9.30pm, police said (Pic: Wikipedia)The emergency services were called to the theatre at around 9.30pm, police said (Pic: Wikipedia)
The emergency services were called to the theatre at around 9.30pm, police said (Pic: Wikipedia)

Inspector Claire Cooper, from Lancashire Police, said the theatre was evacuated after the man, thought to be 17 or 18, fell at around 9.30pm — from an area that was not open to the public.

He was treated by paramedics for his injuries, which are thought to be serious, before being taken to Royal Preston Hospital, she said.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nobody else is thought to have been hurt, although an older man, thought to be aged around 60, collapsed outside the theatre in an unrelated incident, she added.

Police have now launched an investigation, and are still at the scene speaking to shocked staff to ascertain whether the man fell or jumped.

One witness said the man landed in an aisle in front of shocked families.

Another, Sue Gaskell, said the incident happened ten minutes into the second half of Grease.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Nobody at the Grand could be immediately reached for a comment.

UPDATE 11.25pm: The Grand Theatre has tweeted to say tonight's performance was abandoned following the incident.

It said a decision on tomorrow and Saturday's shows - the final two - will be made tomorrow.

LATEST