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The concert-goers’ ‘fun-filled day’ at the Crowded House turns to horror when ankle-deep mud snaps her leg in half, leaving her in constant pain and out of work.
- Kerry Deague, 59, broke her tibia and fibula in ankle-deep mud
- She required major surgery and is now out of a job.
- She is suing the organizers, claiming they should have canceled
A festival-goer who required surgery after breaking her leg in two places at a concert in which attendees were forced to walk ankle-deep in mud is suing the organizers.
Kerry Deague attended A Day on the Green festival at the Mt Duneed Estate, southwest of Geelong, Victoria, in November, where Crowded House headlined.
The 59-year-old woman suffered fractured tibia and fibula after sinking deep into thick mud while wearing rubber boots and falling forward with all her weight on her lower leg.
He is now filing a public liability lawsuit against the festival organizers, Roundhouse Entertainment, after his horrific injuries required major surgery.
Smiling through the pain: Mrs Deague (right) sitting with her brother (left) while wearing his boot after breaking his tibia and fibula
Ms Deague, a former mental health worker, says her broken leg has put her out of a job.
“It was casual in an industry that requires a lot of physical labor,” he said.
‘I have a 35-year work history and am not eligible for unemployment or retirement.
‘The medical bills are piling up and my husband, friends and family have had to take care of me.
‘On top of this, I’ve had to get Ubers and taxis to appointments.
“Many people assume that Day on the Green would compensate me, but it is not, and I have had to take legal action.”
Several vehicles were stuck at the festival after heavy downpours turned the arena into a swamp.
Ms Deague is supported by Slater and Gordon Lawwers in her assertion.
Slater and Gordon’s senior associate for public responsibility, Alexandra Agathouli, said Ms Deague was not the only person injured at the event and that she was also looking into other allegations in which the festival organizer’s alleged negligence had caused injuries and preventable damage.
“For Kerry, his injuries have affected his ability to earn money and earn a living,” he said.
“What was supposed to be a fun-filled day of live music with friends turned into a very dangerous set of circumstances after heavy rain, wind and knee-deep mud slippery for event-goers. festival and staff had to go through.
Several vehicles were stuck at the festival after heavy downpours turned the arena into a swamp.
Ms Deague said the ambulance was unable to reach her and her husband had to carry her to safety.
“They said we can’t even get you a buggy through the mud,” he said.
‘My husband had to carry me and hire a stranger to help me.
‘My leg and foot are still very swollen and I needed a wheelchair to get around.
“Now I have a leg full of metal plates for the rest of my life and I still need crutches to get around.”
Ms. Deague’s leg has been stuffed with metal plates.
She said that the event should have been canceled by the organizers.
“It was irresponsible of them to go ahead with those conditions that were predicted,” he said.
‘It was a paid event and they did not provide a safe environment to keep us out of the elements.
“They sent us an information update saying that the concert venue itself was fine for the show to go ahead.”
A Roundhouse Entertainment spokesperson said it had contacted Ms. Deague and confirmed that there was an ongoing public liability claim.
“As this matter is currently subject to legal proceedings, Roundhouse Entertainment does not consider a comment to be appropriate at this time.”