Hundreds of people were jammed trying to push through guarded barriers
Video shows harrowing footage unfold with kids also caught up in the chaos
By LEVI PARSONS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA
Sydney's spectacular New Year's Eve celebrations have been marred by a terrifying crowd crush.
Confronting footage shows people on Argyle Street in the Rocks screaming out in distress as a large group makes their way through a barricade as helpless police and security watch on.
Parents were even forced to hold young children above their heads fearing they would be trampled in the chaos.
The near-disaster unfolded when swarms of revellers started pushing through guarded barriers into the ticketed section to get a better view of the fireworks just before midnight.
Daily Mail Australia understands City of Sydney organisers will now rethink holding ticketed and non-ticketed events in adjacent areas on New Year's Eve.
Security guards struggle to contain stampeding crowds at Syd NYE
Sydney's spectacular New Year's Eve celebrations have been marred by a terrifying crowd crush (pictured)
The drama unfolded when hundreds of people on Argyle street in The Rocks make their way through a barricade
Police are pictured attempting to secure the barrier for the ticketed section
'It was really scary, very dangerous and I thought I was going to be badly injured,' one man caught up in the harrowing scenes who did not wished to be named told Daily Mail Australia.
'People were trampling me, as I was on the ground with about a dozen other people and some were running over the top of me.
'I lost my footing when I was pushed to the ground and landed on top of two others.'
Australia welcomes 2023 in style with spectacular fireworks display
He added that the situation was particularly frightening given what happened two months earlier in Seoul, where 196 people where killed in a Halloween crowd crush.
The horrific scenes were sparked in the trendy Itaewon neighbourhood on Octobers 29, when a massive crowd of mostly young adults flocked outdoors for a major street festival on the heels of the Covid pandemic.
The National Police Commissioner, Yoon Hee-keun, blamed the disaster on 'poor planning' and 'inadequate' crowd control measures.
Helpless police and security guards scream for the crowd to 'move back' as a man is knocked to the ground
Parents were even forced to hold their young children above their heads fearing they would be trampled in the chaos
Security guards are pictured along with police attempting to secure the barrier
Police and security guards can be seen in video shouting at the crowd in desperation to 'move back' but the hoards of people continue to pile in.
Eventually, NSW Police's Public Order and Riot Squad was called in to get control of the situation.
It is not yet known if there were any injuries.
Police said that while there were 'a few exceptions', most people were well-behaved and enjoyed their celebrations safely and responsibly.
'Several vantage points around the city were at capacity by late-afternoon, as over 200,000 revellers travelled into the city and foreshore areas ahead of the 9pm and midnight fireworks displays,' a statement said.
'Just before midnight, large crowds surged towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge resulting in significant police resources being deployed to the area for crowd management.
'Across the CBD and Sydney Harbour foreshore, 83 arrests were made, and 25 charges laid for various offences, including assault police, assault, prohibited drug related offences, offensive behaviour. Over 200 traffic and railway infringement notices were issued.'
Daily Mail Australia have reached out to police and the City of Sydney for further comment.
Serves them right
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