A Dundee bus driver has hit out at T in the Park organisers after his coach and passengers were ”bombarded” with bottles by an unruly mob of revellers.
Jim McDonell, from the private hire firm Airport Travel Dundee Ltd, said a crowd of about 500 cheered as plastic bottles, some filled with water, clattered against the side of his 50-seater vehicle.
Trouble began almost instantly when the rowdy posse, who were standing behind temporary fencing, targeted the £90,000 bus as it pulled into its pre-designated spot at the Balado site.
Passengers waiting to board the vehicle on their way home were also struck in the attack and a small number retaliated by shouting back at the crowd.
Mr McDonell said this only made matters worse and tensions escalated.
”I was standing at the door and telling the lads to calm down and to get inside, but more and more bottles kept coming over,” he said.
”I asked a steward to help get control of the situation but he just said ‘what do you want me to do about it?’. Then he was hit by a bottle and that seemed to shake him a bit.”
After about 15 minutes and with no sign of any let-up, Mr McDonell went to find a police officer, who requested assistance.
However, the problems did not stop and projectiles continued to be thrown at the bus even as it pulled away.
”It was an awkward situation and to be absolutely honest I was left a bit rattled,” said Mr McDonell. ”It was not properly stewarded and there should have been more police at the bus loading areas.
”I certainly wouldn’t go back if it was like that again. I would need to have a good long hard think about what measures were in place to protect buses and passengers before I would return.”
Police confirmed they had attended the incident, which took place on Monday morning as the last remaining festival-goers departed the site.
A spokesman said: ”Officers attended in the area and the matter was dealt with appropriately at the scene. There was no report of any damage.
”Anyone with concerns regarding this incident should contact police on 0300 111 2222.”
A spokesman for T in the Park said crowd safety is a priority.
”With a capacity of 85,000 people per day T in the Park becomes Scotland’s fifth largest town,” they said. ”Every effort is made in the planning of T in the Park to ensure we work with our police and security teams to crack down strongly on any anti-social activity.
”This behaviour is not reflective of the majority of people who come to the festival to enjoy themselves and who have been praised by the emergency services for their good spirits and behaviour.”