LONDON, ONT.—Police say an unsanctioned weekend street party in London, Ont., resulted in 37 people being taken to hospital, more than 60 charges being laid and nearly a thousand warnings issued.

London police say the so-called “fake homecoming party” on Saturday was attended by nearly 11,000 people and stretched emergency services too thin.

“Our greatest fear is that someone is going to die or will be in serious medical distress and we will be unable to get EMS personnel in to assist due to the size of the crowds,” said London police deputy chief Daryl Longworth.

The party was the second such event — last year a similar gathering was organized by Western University students in what they claimed was a form of protest against the school moving its official homecoming celebration to late October.

According to a Facebook page for this year’s event, some students feel the university’s decision to change the homecoming date is meant to “dissuade” them from displaying school spirit as the official party will be held when it’s colder outside and school work has ramped up.

Emergency medical services say 37 people were taken to hospital for issues related to Saturday’s party.

They say one person sustained a serious head and spinal injury after falling off a roof, and seven others overdosed on drugs.

Police say two criminal charges were laid related to the party, along with bylaw charges, a controlled drug and substances act charge and 50 Provincial Offence Act notices.

They say the event has so far cost $31,000 in police overtime.