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An unsanctioned street party during the University of Guelph Homecoming weekend resulted in approximately 60 injuries, several charges, and a hospital emergency department stretched beyond capacity.
An unsanctioned street party during the University of Guelph Homecoming weekend resulted in approximately 60 injuries, several charges, and a hospital emergency department stretched beyond capacity, police and hospital officials said.
The chaos broke out Saturday on Chancellors Way, where hundreds of students gathered for a street party. The Guelph Police Service shut down Chancellors Way around 4 p.m. and later extended the closure to nearby streets as the party continued. Erik Rutledge, a second-year economics and finance student, watched the action from above. He recalled people throwing cans at each other, yelling, and causing fights.
Student Recalls Falling Classmate
He was hosting a small party in his apartment with wristbands for 20 people. At one point, two young men climbed up the side of the building, and one of them lost his grip. Rutledge said he saw someone fall three stories while trying to get into his apartment. He did not know who the person was and added, Hope you are OK, if you hear this.
Videos on social media showed police with tactical gear trying to quell the crowd, while several students tossed red smoke bombs into the street. Isa Elfarse, a second-year student at Wilfrid Laurier University, called it the craziest Homecoming he had ever attended. The Guelph Police Service issued a public statement on Monday afternoon.
As the situation escalated and the risk to public safety increased, additional police resources, including members of the Guelph Police Service Tactics and Rescue Unit, were deployed to assist frontline officers and support emergency responders working within the crowd. Their efforts helped restore order, prevent further injuries and allow emergency personnel to safely access those requiring assistance, police said. Police laid several charges related to Homecoming, including causing a disturbance and alcohol-related offences.
Hospital Stretched Beyond Capacity
Investigators are still reviewing photos and videos, which may result in additional charges. Guelph General Hospital said approximately 60 people were hurt at Homecoming, with head injuries caused by thrown bottles, lacerations and intoxication. Homecoming-related visits place significant pressure on critical hospital resources, a statement from Dr. Alex Folkl, the chief of emergency medicine, read. This weekend, our Emergency Department was stretched beyond capacity, Folkl said.
Had we also experienced an influx of seriously ill patients or even a small multi-patient trauma event, there was a real risk that we would not have been able to provide every patient with the timely level of care they required. Cam Guthrie, Guelph's mayor, shared his reaction in a video posted to social media. What I saw and what I have heard is not good. And I am pretty ticked about that, he said.
I am beyond upset seeing videos of our emergency services responders getting bottles thrown at them. I have heard from businesses that had their windows smashed out, then there is the garbage and lighting of fires. Guthrie said he previously addressed the problem with other mayors, who have also dealt with unsanctioned street parties, as well as the university. Those discussions, so far, have gone nowhere, he said.
Mayor Calls for Student Maturity
The mayor also had a message for students. There is a lot of maturing that I think needs to occur here, Guthrie said. There has been no public comment from the University of Guelph about the gathering on Chancellors Way. Elfarse described the day as hectic but memorable.
Sure, stuff gets out of hand, but it was awesome, he said. When asked if this year's street party crossed the line, Rutledge answered, 100 per cent. I feel like it is going to get crossed every time, he continued. People are just going to cause chaos, no matter what.
They think that is fun. CTV News then asked Rutledge about his overall HoCo experience. Had a blast, man, he stated.
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CTVNews:This story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
University Of Guelph Homecoming Unsanctioned Street Party Guelph Police Service Guelph General Hospital Cam Guthrie
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