A second woman has died following a crush at an Asake concert at the O2 Brixton Academy on Thursday. The crush at Asake London show has now seen another woman dead.
Gabrielle Hutchinson, 23 years of age, died in the early hours of Monday morning in the hospital. She was a contracted security provider at the Nigerian Afrobeats singer’s show in south London. A rather successful show now has a sour taste in the mouths of Asake and his team.
Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove said it is “devastating news” that a second woman has died following the event. The event attracted around 4,000 people.
“I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to Gabrielle’s family at this inconceivably difficult time,” he said.
Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, of Newham passed away on Saturday morning in the hospital.
Eight people are in the hospital with serious injuries and one woman, 21, remains in critical condition.
Metropolitan Police said Rebecca, Gabrielle, and the 21-year-old fighting for her life were all in the foyer of the Brixton O2 Academy when the crush happened.
Detectives from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command are “working hard to establish exactly what happened on Thursday night”, the Met said on Monday.
“The investigation is large and complex. Officers are reviewing CCTV, phone footage, speaking to witnesses, and conducting forensic examinations.”
Police cordons outside the venue are no longer there, but cordons remain in place inside the building while officers continue to examine the scene.
An online page for the submission of photos, videos, and information is set up by the police.
“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,” the Met said.
Police officers were initially called to the long-standing music venue at 9:04 pm on Thursday. Following reports of a large crowd gathered outside. Another call at 9:35 pm reports people attempting to force entry into the venue.
The Met has made a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.
The crush at the Asake London show is definitely not good news for Afrobeats.
