Statement from London Ambulance Service: Apollo Theatre

London Ambulance Service were called just after 8.10pm to the Apollo Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue. We sent a large number of staff to the scene, including 25 ambulance crews, 12 officers, members of our Hazardous Area Response Team and a medical team from London’s Air Ambulance also attended in a car. Our first staff arrived within three minutes and we worked closely with the other emergency services to care for the injured.

We treated 76 patients, of whom 58 were subsequently taken to one of four hospitals – St Mary’s Hospital, University College Hospital, St Thomas’ Hospital and St George’s Hospital. Of these, 51 had suffered minor injuries and were walking wounded and seven had suffered more serious injuries. Incident Commander Maria Smith, who was one of the first on scene, said: “When I arrived it was dark and extremely dusty and people were lying on the floor of the theatre. “We very quickly set up a casualty clearing area in the foyer of the theatre and the walking wounded were assessed and treated there for injuries such as cuts and grazes, breathing problems and head injuries. “All the staff involved did an excellent job to help ensure that people received medical attention and those who needed further treatment were taken to hospital.”