BOSTON -- Boston police are investigating injuries suffered by three people during post-game riots Wednesday following the Red Sox win over the Yankees. They said the injuries may have been the result of police use of "less-than-lethal force," according to a police statement.

The Red Sox's historic victory over the New York Yankees in Game 7 of the AL championship series Wednesday night sent thousands of elated Red Sox fans rampaging into the streets of Boston. Police estimated the crowds surged to between 60,000 and 80,000 people who converged on the Kenmore Square, Fenway Park area of the city. Most appeared to be students, they said.

WCVB-TV in Boston reported that a crime scene was set up on Yawkey Way at Fenway Park, where several fans tried to scale the wall on the back side of the Green Monster, falling down onto the street below. They were transported to area hospitals, some with potentially life-threatening injuries. Detectives are investigating the incident.

Elsewhere, cars were set on fire and others were overturned, keeping firefighters busy while scores of riot police came out in force to try to control the crowds. After a fan was killed during Super Bowl post-game riots in Boston earlier this year, the city decided to put twice the number of officers on the street after the Sox championship games. The officers, clad in helmets and vests, were aggressive about crowd control Wednesday night, shoving rowdy fans with riot batons and pushing through the crowds in front of ambulances that had sirens blaring.

Smoke and flames sprang up amid the crowds as rowdy fans climbed light poles and swung from trees, one group scaling a McDonald's awning, trying to tear it down. Others threw barrels and one group almost threw a shopping cart through a bank window, prompting police to call for backup. Boston police reported eight arrests, most for disorderly conduct. One arrest was reported for assault and battery on a police officer. Police said at least 16 were reported injured, including an officer whose nose was broken by a "thrown projectile."

Downtown universities had extra security on hand as students danced on cars. Northeastern, Boston University and Boston College had all pledged to crack down on rowdy behavior. Police have not yet released numbers on how many were arrested in the melees that followed the game, but they said all of those arrested would be in court Thursday.

More than 2,000 students at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst gathered around a campus bonfire. About 2,000 students at UMass-Dartmouth were dispersed by police using stun grenades. Several arrests were reported.

Previous Stories:

• October 21, 2004: Damon, Be Gone! Red Sox To World Series
• October 20, 2004: Red Sox Force Game 7 With Yanks
• October 19, 2004: Red Sox Eke Out Win, Astros Win Pitchers' Duel
• October 18, 2004: Sox Fans Keep Hope Alive
• October 18, 2004: Sox Survive Potential Sweep
• October 17, 2004: Yankees Feast On Boston's Bullpen
• October 15, 2004: Spirits Conjured To Save Sox
• October 14, 2004: Schilling Out As Game 5 Starter
• October 14, 2004: Red Sox Ace Will Need Ankle Surgery
• October 13, 2004: Schilling Shelled, Yanks Take Game One
• October 12, 2004: Schilling Wants To Quiet Yankee Stadium Crowd
• October 12, 2004: MLB Stops Sales Of Anti-Red Sox T-Shirts
• September 28, 2004: Red Sox Clinch Playoff Spot, Eye Division Crown