Overview

• A 10-year-old fan’s scream upon spotting a palmetto bug at Vine City station triggered a panic-driven stampede on a crowded MARTA escalator after Beyoncé’s Atlanta concert
• The overloaded escalator briefly accelerated before halting abruptly, causing concertgoers to tumble and injure 11 people, including one broken ankle and multiple cuts
• MARTA’s Safety Department and escalator manufacturer Schindler have barricaded the unit and launched a joint investigation into its load-related failure
• Acting CEO Rhonda Allen announced plans for more aggressive event staffing and stricter crowd-control measures to prevent similar incidents at future major gatherings
• Police are also probing the unrelated theft of two suitcases containing Beyoncé’s unreleased music, tour plans and sensitive personal information from her team’s vehicle