Deputy Mayor Visits Gymnasium of Horror [CITY Edition]

Newsday

Print Media Edition: Combined editions Long Island, N.Y. Jan 7, 1992

Authors: By Mitch Gelman. STAFF WRITER

Pagination: 19

Deputy Mayor Milton Mollen toured the Nat Holman Gymnasium yesterday and said he felt the horror of the fatal crush that claimed nine lives 10 days ago. "Seeing the stairway and the doors where the people were trapped brought a feeling of great compassion," Mollen said after making his first visit to the gymnasium since the tragedy. "I felt tremendous sorrow for the people who were there and for the families of those who died." Mollen, who is in charge of the city's investigation into the stampede, met yesterday afternoon with the college's director of security, Charles Delaney, and its athletic director, John Araouzos. Delaney and Araouzos, who were at the college on Dec. 28, guided Mollen on the tour, escorting him through the glass doors, which were shattered that night, down the 20 white-tiled stairs and through the orange doors into the gym. Without hundreds of people shoving to gain entrance, it seemed an easy stroll, but Mollen said the visit was also emotionally wrenching.

During the past week, he has interviewed police officers, witnesses and promoters. He said that it was important for him to see in person where the crush took place. "It was helpful to go up there and see the place myself," he said. "I've viewed videotapes taken from both inside and outside the gym. But this way I got a feel for it." So far, police have said that officers sent to the scene when the crowd began to get out of control didn't enter the gym until Emergency Medical Service personnel arrived more than 20 minutes after the first call for an ambulance.

Also, interviews with college officials and the event's promoter, Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs, have revealed he did not have the required liability insurance, and the college did not demand that he get it before the event. Mollen has more interviews scheduled through the end of this week, and said he expects to release a report next week. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.

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