19 students hospitalized after concert at Mullins Center

AMHERST, Mass. (WWLP) - Nineteen students ended up in the hospital Thursday night after a concert at the Mullins Center in Amherst. None of those students attended the University of Massachusetts, however.

Amherst Fire Chief Tim Nelson told 22News that one student suffered a severe head injury after he was said to have jumped off a balcony. He was taken to Baystate Medical Center, and there is no word yet on his condition. 18 others were treated for intoxication. None of the students treated were UMass students.

5,900 concert-goers packed the Mullins Center Thursday night for a DJ Tiesto performance. The Dutch DJ is known for his rave-style concerts which attract young adults from ages 15-25.

Nelson told 22News that 31 people were treated at a triage unit set up at the arena. He says many of students treated for intoxication drank moments before entering the venue.

“They do a great job of screening folks, what a lot of these kids do is that they'll ‘pre-load;’ they'll drink just before they come through, they'll take drugs just before they come through,”  Nelson said.

He says that this does make it harder to screen students, because they show no signs of intoxication when entering the building.  One Bentley University student was arrested for disorderly conduct, possession of marijuana and assault and battery.