Huge brawl hits charity fight night (From Evesham Journal)

Huge brawl hits charity fight night

11:00am Monday 24th September 2012 in News Exclusive By Sarah Davies

A MAN had to be taken to hospital after a charity fight night at a Worcester gym descended into a mass brawl.

Hundreds of people had packed into City Gym, in Sheriff Street, on Saturday to watch bouts of kickboxing, boxing and mixed martial arts in aid of Cancer Research UK.

But the evening was brought to an abrupt end when “all hell let loose” inside the building at about 10.15pm and emergency services rushed to the scene.

Yesterday the Worcester News tried to contact City Gym but there was no response.

One man, who wanted to remain anonymous, was outside when the trouble started.

He said: “I had just come out of the gym and I was sat in my car when two police cars and a van came whistling up the estate.

“One guy was being seen to by paramedics with his head bandaged up. Most of the police rushed up into the gym, but there were some checking the car park.

“Someone I know was inside at the time and when he came back through he said all hell had let loose and there was just a sea of fighting. I don’t know what sparked it.”

A woman,who did not wish to be named had been at the event earlier in the night.

She said: “It was a really good night. Everything had been well organised and all the fights I saw went off without hitch. It seemed everyone was enjoying themselves - the drink was flowing and it was a great atmosphere.

“There was a bit of a scuffle at one point when two guys started pushing and shoving each other, but the bouncers and people around them soon stepped in to stop it.

“I was shocked when I heard that the police and ambulance had to be called in. I left just after 10pm and it’s frightening to think that, had I stayed a few minutes longer, I could have been caught up in it all.”

A spokesman for West Midlands Ambulance Service confirmed they received a number of calls to the City Gym at 10.26pm and a rapid response vehicle and an ambulance crew attended, with one man taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital for treatment.

West Mercia Police is yet to release an official statement, but it is understood they will be appealing for witnesses to come forward.

They can be contacted by calling the non-emergency number 101 or ringing Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.