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CNN Sunday Morning

Victory Celebration Devolves Into Riots in Columbus

Aired November 24, 2002 - 11:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: In Columbus, Ohio, it was a victory celebration that got out of hand, after the Ohio State football team clinched a spot in the national championship game. Buckeye fans went wild, setting fires, destroying cars and clashing with police. Patrick Bell of affiliate WBNS has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATRICK BELL, WBNS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just after midnight, the madness begins. Hundreds of drunken students and fans turn 13th Avenue into a junkyard. Every time these hooligans wreak havoc, the crowd roars approval. And they're not content with just overturning these cars; they bash them, with sticks and shovels, and for good measure, set them on fire.

Flames reached high into the night sky. Police helicopters illuminate the damage. And when all is said and done, nine vehicles completely destroyed.

More than two hours later, police arrive, breaking up this riot. But a few blocks away on Chittedon (ph) Avenue, yet more fires, this one so large, people were ripping doors out of their apartments to fuel the blaze.

On Hyde (ph) Street, even more damage. Paper (UNINTELLIGIBLE) scattered about, trash cans ripped from their posts, a couch burns, and Longs (ph) Bookstore window broken. It's a day no one will soon forget.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Our thanks to Patrick Bell of WBNS, our affiliate.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired November 24, 2002 - 11:01   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: In Columbus, Ohio, it was a victory celebration that got out of hand, after the Ohio State football team clinched a spot in the national championship game. Buckeye fans went wild, setting fires, destroying cars and clashing with police. Patrick Bell of affiliate WBNS has more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATRICK BELL, WBNS CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Just after midnight, the madness begins. Hundreds of drunken students and fans turn 13th Avenue into a junkyard. Every time these hooligans wreak havoc, the crowd roars approval. And they're not content with just overturning these cars; they bash them, with sticks and shovels, and for good measure, set them on fire.

Flames reached high into the night sky. Police helicopters illuminate the damage. And when all is said and done, nine vehicles completely destroyed.

More than two hours later, police arrive, breaking up this riot. But a few blocks away on Chittedon (ph) Avenue, yet more fires, this one so large, people were ripping doors out of their apartments to fuel the blaze.

On Hyde (ph) Street, even more damage. Paper (UNINTELLIGIBLE) scattered about, trash cans ripped from their posts, a couch burns, and Longs (ph) Bookstore window broken. It's a day no one will soon forget.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: Our thanks to Patrick Bell of WBNS, our affiliate.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com