Overcrowding prompts fights and early shutdown of CNE on youth day
Massive crowds forced the CNE shut down nearly three hours early on Tuesday night on its annual youth day, one of the busiest nights of the fair.
Around 9:30 p.m., Toronto police deployed officers to the grounds to help assist with crowd control, which normally remain open until midnight. Tuesday, admission was dropped to $6 per person after 5 p.m.
"CNE organizers are winding down operations early as a proactive measure to curtail overcrowding and ensure the safety of our guests."
"We have deployed additional staff and external resources to facilitate the imminent exit of an exceptionally large number of visitors, especially younger patrons who rely on public transit to safely get home," it said on its website.
Police also said they received reports of the sound of gunshots which turned out to be false and were blown out of proportion online, Const. Craig Brister told CBC News.
Portions of Strachan Avenue and Fleet Street were shut down to allow pedestrians to leave quickly.
