Australian Ed Sheeran fans are angry, after numerous people were treated for dehydration after collapsing at the singer’s recent Melbourne show.
Fans at the Etihad Stadium reported that the stadium roof was not opened and there was no working air conditioning, with temperatures outside topping 35 degrees celsius. Numerous people were reported as collapsing and having to be escorted out of the venue by first aiders. Water was reportedly also being sold forupwards of $5 a bottle.
Melanee Jardine told Yahoo 7 that her third floor seat gave her a “bird’s eye view” of events. “In the first act they had to stop and get security to help someone who had fainted. Then it just kept happening all show,” she said.
“We had a young girl in our row pass out from the heat too. It was terrible and unnecessary when they had access to having the roof open.”
An Etihad spokesperson said the roof was closed at the request of the touring party. “Patrons health and safety is always our number one priority and we were continually monitoring the situation. The temperatures inside the stadium was not at a level that put Ed’s fans at risk,” they said.
“Free water stations were available throughout the venue for fans to continually hydrate throughout the concert and they were encouraged to do so. On the stadium floor there was free water being handed out throughout the night to fans.”