A 19-year-old music fan from East Kilbride has secured a four-figure settlement from TRNSMT organisers after she was crushed against a barrier and suffered life-changing knee injuries at the 2023 festival.
Jessica Gatherer still walks with pain every day and has never received an apology for the terrifying ordeal that left her on crutches for months.
The Moment Everything Went Wrong
Sunday 9 July 2023 started like any other festival day for Jessica, then 17. She arrived early at Glasgow Green to get a good spot for Becky Hill’s set on the main stage.
A delay in opening the gates caused thousands of excited fans to pile up behind her. With nowhere to go, the crowd surged forward.
Jessica found herself pinned against a metal fence. The pressure was relentless. Her left leg twisted horribly as bodies pressed in from all sides.
“It was complete chaos,” she told me. “People were screaming, but the crowd just kept pushing. I honestly thought I was going to die there.”
Security eventually opened a gate and the pressure eased, but the damage was done. Jessica collapsed to the ground unable to put weight on her leg.
Lasting Damage That Changed Her Life
Medics at the festival site confirmed soft tissue damage and suspected ligament tears. An ambulance took her to hospital where scans revealed the full extent of her injuries.
Doctors diagnosed torn ligaments in her left knee and widespread soft tissue damage throughout the leg. She needed crutches for weeks and intense physiotherapy for months.
The teenager, who worked in hospitality, couldn’t stand for more than a few minutes. She lost six months of wages and had to cancel a dream holiday to Turkey she’d saved for all year.
Even now, nearly two years later, Jessica feels pain every single day. Simple things like climbing stairs or a long shift at work leave her leg throbbing.
Breaking New Ground in Festival Safety Claims
Jessica instructed Digby Brown Solicitors to pursue DF Concerts, the company behind TRNSMT.
Her lawyer David Nellaney says festival injury claims rarely reach this stage.
“Most cases settle early because organisers don’t want the negative publicity,” he explained. “Jessica’s case is rare and important because it shows victims can hold big companies accountable when safety fails.”
Court papers alleged DF Concerts breached their duty of care by allowing dangerous crowd build-up. The company admitted liability and agreed an out-of-court settlement.
The exact amount remains confidential, but Jessica confirmed it was a four-figure sum.
Why This Victory Matters for Every Festival Goer
This case sends a clear message to the live music industry.
Crowd crushes and surges have marred festivals worldwide, from Astroworld to historic tragedies at Hillsborough and The Who concert in 1979. Yet proper planning can prevent most incidents.
TRNSMT has faced criticism before. In 2022 fans reported severe crushing during Lewis Capaldi’s set, with some needing medical treatment for panic attacks and injuries.
Festival safety experts say delays in opening stages or barriers are common triggers for dangerous surging. Better communication, more entry points, and real-time crowd monitoring can make the difference between a great day and a disaster.
Jessica hopes her case forces change.
“I’m not doing this for the money,” she said. “I want them to apologise and make sure this never happens to another young girl just trying to enjoy her favourite artists.”
DF Concerts told us they “take the safety of all festival goers extremely seriously” and have “robust crowd management plans in place.”
Jessica just wants the apology that never came.
Two years on, she still loves music. But she’ll never forget the day her passion turned into a nightmare against a Glasgow fence.
What happened to Jessica should never happen to anyone else at a festival. Her bravery in speaking out might just save the next teenager from the same fate.
Have you ever felt unsafe in a festival crowd? Has this changed how you’ll approach getting to the front in future? Share your experiences below.
