Brixton Academy: Crush victim's family taking legal action

Gaby Hutchinson, 23, died in the crush at the Brixton O2 Academy

The family of a security guard who died in a crush at the Brixton O2 Academy in south London is taking legal action.

Lawyers for Gaby Hutchinson's family say they want to "find out the truth" after the crush outside a concert that left two people dead in December 2022.

Venue owner, AMG Ltd, was sent a letter by the lawyers and has been asked to comment by the BBC.

County Enforcement Ltd and AP Security Ltd were also sent letters, but said they could not comment on any action.

AMG Ltd has previously said it has developed new safety measures.

Gaby, 23, and Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, died after fans without tickets tried to get into a sold-out concert by Afrobeats artist Asake on 15 December 2022. A third person remains critically injured in hospital.

Gaby, who was from Kent, was a security contractor working on the night of the crush.

"We will never let this rest", Gaby's mother, Christine Hutchinson, said. "We are determined to get answers to ensure there are learnings from this and that nobody else attending or working in a similar environment has to endure what we have over the past 14 months."

Fans without tickets tried to get into a show by Nigerian artist Asake at the venue on 15 December 2022

County Enforcement Ltd added the death of "one of our employees, Gabby Hutchinson" was a "matter of deep regret and sorrow", adding they were cooperating with the police investigation.

AP Security Ltd said it "amongst others", had "received a letter of claim from solicitors", and also said it was cooperating with police.

An inquest into the cause of the two deaths has been adjourned while police investigate.

'Many unanswered questions'

Gaby's mother continued: "We have so many unanswered questions and we hope that by taking this action we can find out the truth and hold those who are responsible to account.

"At no point since Gaby's death has anybody from Academy Music [AMG Ltd] met us to discuss what happened or asked our thoughts on safety measures to be introduced to protect the public from this happening again.

"As a family, we are not reassured that a tragedy like this will not happen again."

The family's solicitor, Patrick Maguire, said the family had been met with a "wall of silence".

Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, who had two young children and was from Stratford, east London, also died

"We have now initiated a civil case against those in charge of the venue and those who were operating the security arrangements on that fateful evening," he said.

'Shambolic and chaotic'

He added the family was "seeking accountability" from those who they believed "failed in their duty to protect Gaby and others who were killed and injured as a result of the shambolic and chaotic security procedures in place that night".

The music venue's licence was suspended following heavy criticism, but was given permission to reopen late last year. It is set to start hosting gigs again in April.

AMG Ltd said earlier this month it had developed new safety measures at the venue, including stronger doors, a better queuing system and more secure ticketing.

• Brixton crush families criticise singer Asake

• What happened at the Brixton Academy crush?

A spokesperson for County Enforcement Ltd said in full: "It remains a matter of deep regret and sorrow that one of our employees, Gabby Hutchinson, tragically passed in the events that took place on 15 December 2022 at the 02 Brixton Academy.

"Our thoughts remain with her family and friends and similarly to those of Rebecca Ikumelo.

"At this time, the police investigation into this matter is ongoing and we continue to support and co-operate fully with that process. As such we are unable to comment further."

A spokesperson for AP Security Ltd said: "We are fully co-operating with the police investigation into the tragedy.

"On legal advice it would not be appropriate for us to comment further as this could prejudice those investigations and any civil proceedings. Our thoughts remain with the deceased, their families, and friends."

Witnesses to the crush continue to be sought by police as part of the investigation, officers said earlier this month.

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