Second person dies in wake of Brixton Academy tragedy
A second person who suffered injuries during the incident at the O2 Brixton Academy on Thursday has died.
Gaby Hutchinson, 23, died in hospital in the early hours of this morning. He was working as one of the contracted security providers for the event that evening.
Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove, policing commander for Lambeth and Southwark, 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 Gaby’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.
“Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command are working hard to established exactly what happened on Thursday night.
“Officers are reviewing CCTV, phone footage, speaking to witnesses and conducting forensic examinations.
“The police cordons outside the venue have been removed, but cordons remain in place inside the building while officers continue to examine the scene.
“At this time we have established that the three who were critically injured, including Rebecca Ikumelo and Gaby Hutchinson who have tragically died, were all in the foyer of the building.
“A third woman, aged 21, remains in hospital in a critical condition.
“An online page for the submission of photographs, videos and information has been set up and we would ask anyone with such material to use this facility.
“There were about 4,000 potential witnesses present at the time of the incident, and we urge any members of the public with information to come forward.”
Police officers were initially called to the O2 Academy location at around 9pm following reports of a large crowd gathered outside the venue. A further call was made half an hour later reporting people were attempting to force entry into the venue.
The Met says it has 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.
Pictured top: Gabrielle Hutchinson (Picture: The Met)
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I hope the victim’s family can endure this incident. How many people were declared dead?