Brixton Academy has its licence suspended after two killed in gig crush
The Brixton 02 Academy’s licence has been suspended after two people were killed in a crowd crush at a gig last week.
Afro-pop singer Asake’s gig was cancelled when a large number of people tried to get into the venue.
Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, died on Saturday, while Gaby Hutchinson, 23, died on Monday.
The south London venue’s licence has been suspended until 16 January.
Lambeth Council members met today where the decision was made to suspend the license following the ‘severity’ of the incident last week.
It also emerged that concerns were raised about the strength of the front doors nearly three years before the crush.
Councillors decided to make the ‘interim decision’ due to ‘risks to public safety’ from ‘a lack of crowd control at the front doors’, it was heard.
MORE : Security guard, 23, dies after being crushed while working at Brixton Academy
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A full hearing will take place on January 16. During the meeting, the Metropolitan Police said there had been a similar crush on February 4, 2020.
Concerns were then raised about the strength of the front doors during a concert by Afrobeats singer Naira Marley.
The police wanted Lambeth Council’s licensing sub-committee to suspend the licence throughout its investigation.
The owners instead had offered to remain closed for 28 days.
One show has already been postponed and another on New Year’s Eve has been cancelled.
Five more shows due to take place between now and 16 January will be postponed.
At the meeting, a lawyer representing the police said the owner’s offer to temporarily close was ‘inappropriate and wrong’.
‘It is not right, I suggest, to leave a decision as serious as this one in the hands of the licencee,’ said Gerald Gourier.
He added: ‘Whilst what happened last Thursday of course was exceptional, no one should begin to think that it was unique or could not happen again.’
Stephen Walsh KC, representing the Academy Music Group, told councillors: ‘It is clearly far too early, as the police have accepted, to draw any conclusions about the causes of the tragedy, let alone to point the finger of blame at any party or parties.’
He said: ‘The O2 Academy Brixton recognises the gravity of the events which occurred on the night of 15 December, and expresses its sincere condolences to the families of those who died during the tragic incident, and its genuine concerns for anyone affected by it.
‘The licence holder, Academy Music Group Limited, is committed to ensuring that vital lessons are learned through its own detailed internal investigation.’
Tributes have been paid to mum-of-two Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, from Newham in east London, who died in hospital on Saturday after being caught in the crush.
Gaby Hutchinson, 23, was working as one of the contracted security providers for the event, and died on Monday after being taken to hospital following the incident.
Rebecca was an autism campaigner and worked as a nurse until her older son was diagosed with autism in 2020.
Friends described her as a ‘beautiful woman who radiated positive energy and was dedicated to being the best version of herself for her kids’.
Ms Ikumelo leaves behind two sons, Jamael and Joelle. The single mother worked as a nursing associate in sexual health until her older child was diagnosed with autism in 2020.
She then took a break from nursing and began spending more time with her children, documenting her son’s development after his autism diagnosis.
Just a few days before her death, she spoke on a podcast about societal attitudes towards children with autism.
Describing an incident in which a relative told her her son was ‘naughty’, Rebecca said: ‘I said: “He’s not naughty, he’s autistic”, and then she was like “Oh, sorry, I didn’t know.”
‘But my thing with that is that even when people talk about how they’re in the supermarket and people make ignorant comments and stuff, and then they say they’re autistic and the other person quickly changes [what they say].
‘It shouldn’t have to come to that. You shouldn’t be trying to discipline someone else’s child or putting in your two pence.’
MORE : Tributes to ‘adorable’ mum-of-two who died in Brixton Academy crush
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Gaby from Gravesend, Kent, died in hospital on Monday from serious injuries sustained in the incident.
Gaby’s family described them as someone who protected the people they loved ‘fiercely’.
In a tribute they said: ‘When Gaby loved you, it was with their whole heart.
‘Gaby has brought so much love, laughter and inappropriate jokes into our lives and will forever be our baby, our daughter, our sister, our man and our joy.
‘Getting 23 years of Gaby’s life was a blessing and one we will never forget. Gaby will forever live on in our hearts. No one should go to work and not come home.
‘But Gaby protected those they loved fiercely and it was the same with Gaby’s job.’
Gaby was working as one of the contracted security providers for the event that evening.
A third person, a woman aged 21, remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove said: ‘It is devastating news that a second person has lost their life following the events on Thursday.
‘I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to Gabrielle’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.’
He added: ‘An online page for the submission of photos, videos and information has been set up and we would ask anyone with such material to use this facility.
‘There were around 4,000 potential witnesses present at the time of this incident and we urge any members of the public with information to come forward.
‘Police officers were initially called to the location at 9.04pm following reports of a large crowd gathered outside the venue.
‘A further call was made at 9.35pm reporting people were attempting to force entry into the venue.
‘We have made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as is standard national practice following all incidents where police have been in attendance and members of the public have died or been seriously injured.’
Nigerian artist Asake said he was ‘devastated’ and ‘overwhelmed with grief’ after hearing the news of Ms Ikumelo’s death.
In a statement posted on Instagram, Asake said: ‘I am devastated by the news that Rebecca Ikumelo who was in a critical condition since Thursday has sadly passed away.
‘My sincerest condolences to her loved ones at this time. Let us please keep her family in our prayers. I have spoken to them and will continue to do so.
‘I am overwhelmed with grief and could never have imagined anything like this happening.
‘My team and I are still awaiting the full debrief back from the Venue management and the Police to determine what exactly led to all the disruption caused and ultimately to Rebecca’s passing.
‘If you have any relevant information relating to this please do reach out to the Metropolitan Police.’
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