The scene outside Brixton O2 Academy on December 16 (Picture: PA)
A second woman has died after a crush caused by people trying to get into a concert at the 02 Brixton Academy in London.
Gabrielle Hutchinson, 23, was working as one of the contracted security providers for the event on Thursday.
She died in hospital in the early hours of this morning, police said this afternoon.
Mum-of-two Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, from Newham in east London, died in hospital on Saturday after being injured in the crush during Nigerian artist Asake’s concert.
She 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’.
A third woman, aged 21, remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Gabrielle Hutchinson, 23, died in the early hours of this morning (Picture: Met Police)
Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, died following a crowd crush outside an Asake concert at the O2 Academy Brixton (Picture: PA)
Metropolitan Police detectives have launched a ‘large and complex’ investigation to work out exactly what happened on Thursday night, when many are said to have tried to get into the event without tickets.
Officers are reviewing CCTV, phone footage, speaking to witnesses and conducting forensic examinations.
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.’
The police cordons outside the venue have been removed, but cordons remain in place inside the building while officers continue to examine the scene.
Police said: ‘At this time we have established that the three women who were critically injured, including Rebecca Ikumelo and Gabrielle Hutchinson who have tragically died, were all in the foyer of the building.’
‘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.’
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said City Hall is in contact with venues and authorities across the capital to make sure ‘nothing like this happens again’.
He said he was ‘heartbroken’ by the tragic events and passed his condolences to relatives ‘at this extremely difficult time’.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
Gabrielle Hutchinson, aged 23, was working as a security provider for the event.
