KSI and Logan Paul promoting their Prime drink at the UFC. Source: KSI/Twitter
Over 1,000 fans flocked to see viral Youtubers Logan Paul and Olajide Olatunji (KSI) during their appearance on The Today Show, outside of the show’s north Sydney studio. However, the frenzied crowd resulted in one teenage boy to be hospitalised, and multiple others injured.
The boy, reportedly 14 years old, was transported by ambulance to Sydney Children’s hospital just after 8:30am today. He is in a serious condition after reportedly falling down within the crowd.
Ambulance crews found multiple others in the crowd who needed assistance. Included was a security guard that was caught behind a protective cement barricade when the crowd pushed into the barricade in a frenzy. The crowd rush was caused when Paul and KSI announced they would be handing out their Prime drinks from the ground level.
Police were required to split into groups in order to calm the crowd and provide assistance to those who had fallen.
Officers then cancelled the YouTube duo’s appearance on the ground floor, instructing the crowd to collect a drink and move on in an orderly manner.
The pair are currently on a national tour in Australia. They are following the UFC and promoting, Prime, a sports drink range that resulted from a partnership between Paul and KSI. The drink is the Official Sports Drink of UFC, and the Premier League team, Arsenal and has been a viral hit overseas.
Today host, Karl Stefanovic described the fans as a “good crowd” secreting the “sweet smell of Lynx Africa”.
The pair were met with similar scenes during the appearance last week in Perth.
“We met with some pretty feral fans. I’ve got to say,” Paul said on Today.
Woolworths, who has exclusive rights to sell Prime in Australia, was forced to cancel the product’s official Australian launch. Paul and KSI were set to appear at Midvale Central Shopping Centre carpark for the launch in Perth on February 11. However, the event was cancelled following advice from WA Police.
“Following a safety and security review and with the advice of WA Police, our security providers and the City of Swan we are not satisfied in the interests of public safety for this event to occur at the Midvale Central Shopping Centre car park on Saturday, February 11,” a Woolworths spokesperson said.
“We know this is disappointing for customers and fans of Prime drinks, however public safety must come first.”
After the scenes on Today, it is clear why safety was a concern for the product’s launch.
