London revelers mark drink ban with subway chaos
LONDON, England (CNN) — London’s subway system was engulfed by thousands of revelers Saturday night, marking the introduction of an alcohol ban on the mass transit network.
Eyewitnesses have described how some drunken partygoers, often dressed in fancy dress, fought, damaged subway trains and vomited.
Authorities were forced to close six stations on the network, including major transportation hubs at Liverpool Street, Baker Street and Euston.
A spokesman for British Transport Police, which patrols the network, said that police had been told of a large large amount of disorder and multiple instances of trains being damaged, causing them to be pulled from service, the UK’s Press Association reported, adding: This was an unfortunate end to what should have been a fun event. There were reports of at least 17 arrests.
Much of the disorder concentrated on the Circle Line, which encircles the center of the city.
Many reports say that the night had begun good-naturedly.
Web programmer, David Mudkips, 25, from east London, told PA that the event was Like rush hour but fun. There were people’s sweaty armpits in my face but I didn’t care because I was drinking.
Student Frankie Abbott, 21, also from east London, said earlier in the evening: It might be fun to do the whole night but I think it’s going to get a bit messy. There are guys drinking from funnels already.
Sailor Peter Moore, 35, from Brighton on the southern English coast, told the agency his night was Drunken, I just downed a can of beer in 10 seconds. It’s sweaty on there but I’m going round and round until I vomit.
As the evening progressed the situation deteriorated.
