The documentary “Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy” on Netflix investigates the disastrous 2021 Astroworld Festival where 10 attendees lost their lives during a crowd crush at Travis Scott’s performance. Directed by Yemi Bamiro and Hannah Poulter, the film delves into the serious issues surrounding the festival’s planning, the response of personnel, and the chaos that ensued.
Footage from the event indicates that the problems began even before the gates opened, with attendees rushing past security, raising alarms about crowd control failures. According to Mark Lentini, a former commander for the Houston Police Department, the pandemonium was entirely predictable. Concerns were also voiced by Jackson Bush, a security worker who was hired the day prior and received little guidance, stating that he was told to prepare for attendees rushing the gates.
A significant revelation made by crowd safety expert Scott Davidson involves the ticket sales conducted by Live Nation, which offered 50,000 tickets despite an estimated safe capacity of only 35,000 for Scott’s performance. As Davidson points out, there were apparent deficits in planning, which contributed to the overwhelming density of spectators, particularly on one side of the stage.
One troubling aspect revisited in the documentary is Live Nation’s decision to continue the show despite authorities recognizing the need for a halt due to the increasing injuries and the crowd’s perilous state. Text messages exchanged between Live Nation officials indicated prior knowledge of the escalating situation, with one manager reportedly observing a number of crush victims not previously seen in their career.
Beyond the tragedy, the film also addresses the various conspiracy theories that emerged following the incident, which overshadowed the underlying issues of mismanagement. One uplifting story in the documentary is shared by Sophia, a newly licensed nurse, who played a heroic role in saving concertgoer Arturo, who suffered a heart attack during the chaos. Their enduring friendship post-incident serves as a reminder of hope and human connection amid despair.
“Trainwreck: The Astroworld Tragedy” is now available for streaming on Netflix, providing a comprehensive look at a crucial event in concert safety awareness. This documentary not only sheds light on the lessons learned from Astroworld but also emphasizes the importance of effective planning and safety measures at large public events.