In a terrifying turn of events, chaos descended on a pre-season match between Dunston and Gateshead at the UTS Stadium in the northeast on Friday evening. At approximately 8.20pm, the match was interrupted when a hearse, accompanied by a Subaru, was driven onto the pitch by individuals wearing balaclavas. The masked men proceeded to throw leaflets from the vehicles, leaving spectators and players stunned and bewildered.
At half-time, with the score tied at 1-1, the two cars began circling the pitch, performing reckless manoeuvres and skidding around while the leaflets fluttered through the air. The disruptive actions continued until the masked individuals abandoned the hearse and fled the stadium in the Subaru, leaving the vehicle stranded on the pitch.
Gateshead FC took to Twitter to announce that the match had been abandoned by the referee due to the unforeseen incident. Fortunately, no one was reported injured or threatened during the bizarre spectacle. However, the disruption sparked concern among attendees and officials alike.
Local authorities swiftly responded to the incident, and Northumbria Police assured the public that an investigation has been launched. In a statement, a police spokesperson emphasised that disorder of any kind would not be tolerated in the community, and those found involved in the incident would be dealt with firmly.
Although the investigation is still in its early stages, it has been disclosed that the individuals involved are believed to be acquainted with one another.
Northumbria Police also issued a plea to the public not to speculate on the matter and urged those who witnessed the disturbance to cooperate with the authorities. They encouraged individuals with any footage or information related to the incident to share it with the police to aid in the investigation.
As the situation unfolds, the stadium and its surroundings remain under police watch to maintain public safety and provide reassurance to concerned residents. Anyone with concerns or additional information is encouraged to approach on-duty officers in the area.
