9 Sep 2011

Families worried about crowds head home

6:45 pm on 9 September 2011

Parents concerned about crowd control have taken their children home from Rugby World Cup opening celebrations on Friday in Auckland.

They say they want to watch the festivities on television because they are worried about crowd control in the central city.

Ferries from Devonport are packed and people have had difficulties getting off.

A Radio New Zealand reporter on the scene has seen a number of people crushed and carried over fences at the waterfront.

Police encouraged people to move back from the waterfront further up to the city to alleviate crowding.

Some families are upset about the over-crowding because they were reassured it would be a family friendly space.

Trains, buses and ferries were also at capacity and delayed on Friday.