Police have arrested a man on suspicion of murdering festivalgoer Robert Hart, who died after he was attacked at the Parklife Weekender festival in Manchester. Hart was the victim of a “brutal assault” after he stepped in to protect his girlfriend from being whacked with an inflatable toy.
According to the Manchester Evening News, a 31-year-old male has been arrested in Cheshire on suspicion of Hart’s murder. The man remains in custody and police say they have received an “unprecedented” amount of footage and images from the event that has assisted their investigation.
“Over the last two weeks, we have received a huge amount support by both the public and the media for the appeal to help find the person responsible,” said Det Insp Richard Eales in a statement. “We now have a man in custody, but that doesn’t mean the investigation is at an end. We are continuing to investigate and are renewing our appeal for information or any relevant footage.”
Hart was knocked unconscious in what police described as a “brutal assault,” in front of the Parklife festival Main Stage whilst waiting for a set by Snoop Dogg. Off-duty paramedics performed heart massage at the scene before he was moved to a medical facility where his condition deteriorated.
He was then rushed to North Manchester General Hospital and then to Hope Hospital, where he remained in a critical state as doctors treated a bleed to his brain. The 26-year-old died in hospital, with event organisers offering a £20,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of his killer.
