Chaos as Dunston vs Gateshead abandoned at half time after hearse and car driven onto pitch

There was chaos as the Dunston vs Gateshead friendly was abandoned at half time after a hearse and another car was driven onto pitch.

The two non league sides had been drawing 1-1 at half time, but suddenly both cars were seen doing burnouts around the pitch, performing skids as fans watched on in shock.

The pitch was torn up as a result and videos quickly went viral on social media showing the incident with two hooded men getting out of the hearse and jumping into the other car, which then quickly left the pitch.

Interesting events at half time at Gateshead’s friendly at Dunston this evening! 😳

Match abandoned. pic.twitter.com/dWdmufiXmm

— Craig Jones 🏆🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 (@craigyjones17) July 21, 2023

The game was then abandoned, with Dunston writing via their Twitter: “Tonight’s match has been abandoned due to an incident at half-time.”

Gateshead also said: “Due to an incident on the pitch occurring shortly after half time, tonight’s match has been abandoned by the referee.”

The drivers chucked posters claiming a club official is a paedophile.

A fan at the match told ChronicleLive: “It was half-time and the players were still on the pitch just doing some warm-ups when a silver car and a hearse came onto the pitch and started doing doughnuts.

“Two men jumped out of the hearse and people were saying they were armed. They then got into the silver car and they sped off.

“It was horrible to see. There were loads of kids in tears. It all happened so fast, in probably less than a minute.

“At first people were just watching what was happening but then people started running away. I heard people say they had guns and people were running for cover. I’ve never seen anything like it. I just hope everyone is okay.”

Gateshead FC confirmed the match was abandoned by the referee due to an ‘incident’.

Police helicopter out now. Ground has been evacuated. pic.twitter.com/KiyJTIT40S

— Matty Hewitt (@MattyJHewitt) July 21, 2023

One eyewitness, who wanted to be anonymous, explained more to the Daily Star. “It was surreal. As my wife and I were driving down, there were these three guys with snoods high up and hats on about 500 yards from the stadium.

“She said ‘those three guys look dodgy’, but it was one of them comments that you say and think nothing of.

“We get into the stadium and look across to the right and those three guys are there. Again, she said they look dodgy but look nothing of it.

“The referee blows the half-time whistle and the players walk in, then one of the guys tried to open the blue railing around the pitch to get on. ‘Open the gate, open the gate’ they were shouting. There is a bit of an altercation between two guys trying to close the gate, but they were adamant to open the gate.”

They added: “At that level of football, you don’t get security, so it took about 10 minutes before police came, then there were seven or eight police cars and a helicopter. It was scary. You have got young children there.”

Another anonymous witness said: “It was horrible to see. There were loads of kids in tears. It all happened so fast, in probably less than a minute. At first people were just watching what was happening but then people started running away. I heard people say they had guns and people were running for cover. I’ve never seen anything like it. I just hope everyone is okay.”

Northumbria Police said: “Police have launched an investigation following a disturbance during a football match in #Gateshead.

“At around 8.20pm today (Friday) it was reported two cars drove on the pitch during half-time of the Dunston UTC v Gateshead match at Dunston Football Club on Wellington Rd.

“Following this, both cars – a Subaru and a Hearse – have drove around in circles and a group of males wearing balaclavas have exited onto the pitch.

“They have proceeded to throw leaflets on the pitch before driving away from the area in the Subaru before police arrival.

“The Hearse was abandoned on the pitch.

“Officers attended within minutes where nobody was reported to have been injured or threatened.

“An investigation was launched and enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances surrounding the report and locate those involved.

“Disorder will not be tolerated in the community, and anyone found to be involved will be dealt with robustly.

“While enquiries are at an early stage, it is believed those involved are known to each other and there was no wider risk to the public.

“We are aware of images and videos circulating on social media. The public are urged not to speculate, and encouraged to share footage with police.

“Officers remain in the area to offer reassurance.

“🖱️☎️Any info or footage? Contact via website or 101 ref: NP-20230721-1154.”

Eventful away day at Dunston #Gatesheadfc pic.twitter.com/EZidSlxCon

— 🅱️ (@____B17____) July 21, 2023

Twitter users reacted at the chaos as Dunston vs Gateshead was abandoned at half time after a hearse and car was driven onto the pitch…

@rjgemmell5: Looks like he won the ball fair and square. I see no issues.

@leewest82: Who let Dougal do a funeral?

@darren_m_sage: Imagine writing up the incident report for the FA on this one @refsupportuk 🤣🤣

@JM_1889: what on earth 😭😭

@SheridanSparkes: I’ve spent the last decade watching football all over Europe. I thought I’d seen everything and then this happens.

@AdamNUFC_: Average day in Dunston

@x_godden: Bruv they’ve stolen someone’s coffin in a hearse, done donuts on a football pitch and bounced. That’s OUTRAGEOUS 😭

@EvanMcFarlane: My head’s actually gone at this, what is happening

@alfiemeek1: Seems to have been really well re-hearsed

@TheDB30: What I can say though is I’m extremely proud of everyone there tonight. In a moment of sheer panic we all looked out for each other. We saw the worst of the human race tonight but also the best of it ❤️

@Carl_walker01: Can’t wait for sky bet to put a post on saying one lucky customer had over 0.5 hearses to be left on the pitch during half time in the Dunston UTS game vs Gateshead

@StephenMurray87: Thought I had pretty much seen it all in Gateshead in my 36 years on this planet, but this craic coming out of Dunston tonight has done me. Absolutely fucking mental.

@B_A_SWAracus: Substitution for Dunston, number 10 Robin Van Hearsie.

@spena2k10: Poor groundskeepers.

@mattylp1: 🤣🤣 north east non league football is the pinnacle of sport in this country

@LestahSam: Game I saw there wasn’t this interesting, forget some of the crazy shit that happens around where I live 🤣🤣

@Arsenal_Morris: Fucking wild this 🤣🤣🤣

@windM1LLER: Just when you think you’ve seen everything in football 👀

@LiamButler03: Scariest thing I’ve ever seen at a football match

@_chris96bcfc: Season hasn’t even started yet and I’m not sure they’ll be anything as random as this

Plenty of action at Dunston v Gateshead tonight. But I didn’t expect it to be in the half time break. Match abandoned.
Shocked and dazed the poor player from down south told me, “I’ve just come up for a trial.” pic.twitter.com/g2obzuDYPw

— Colin Scott (@Scott12Colin) July 21, 2023