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Family of O2 Brixton Academy fan crush victim Gaby Hutchinson make plea to Asake

05:00, 15 December 2023

updated: 16:29, 15 December 2023

Additional reporting by Abby Hook

The family of a security guard who died after a fan crush before a concert at the O2 Brixton Academy has called on the artist to get his fans to come forward.

Gaby Hutchinson was one of two people killed when ticketless fans tried to force their way into a show by Afrobeats artist Asake at the south London venue on December 15 last year.

Gaby Hutchinson died after sustaining injuries during the crush in the O2 Brixton Academy. Picture: Met Police
Gaby Hutchinson died after sustaining injuries during the crush in the O2 Brixton Academy. Picture: Met Police

Gaby, from Gravesend, was working as a security dog handler at the event with three-year-old German Shepherd Coco.

The 23-year-old was taken to St Thomas’ Hosptial in London where he* died four days later on December 19.

Gaby’s partner, Phoebie Turley, set up a fundraiser after the tragedy which has raised more than £10,000.

In a fresh appeal on the first anniversary of the incident, Gaby’s sisters Nina and Kelsey are calling on the singer to ask his fans to do more.

Kelsey said: “I think unless the singer comes forward and asks his fans to release any information, whether that be who they went with or any pictures or videos they took, then the most we can hope is that people will respond because they can relate to us.

“Gaby went to work and should have come home. She was a sibling, a parent, a child. People all have these things, so surely they can understand and want to help.”

Nina says her family still have questions over that night.

She said: “We still feel the same as we did when we left the hospital after she had died - overwhelmed, broken, sad and tired.

“We have questions that have not been answered like what happened? Why did it happen? What went wrong and how could we make things better so this doesn’t happen to another family?

“Our sister touched so many lives and we didn’t realise that until we saw the amount of people at her funeral. I think that just did her justice.”

Kelsey added: “Gaby was an important person to us and what happened to her shouldn’t have happened.

Gaby Hutchinson died from their injuries after the crush at the O2 Brixton Academy. Picture: PA/family handout (61540012)
Gaby Hutchinson died from their injuries after the crush at the O2 Brixton Academy. Picture: PA/family handout (61540012)

“She didn’t go there because she was going to enjoy her concert, she went there because she was going to a job.

“How many of us are lucky enough to go home at the end of the night? She never came home.”

A second person, 33-year-old mother Rebecca Ikumelo, was also killed. One woman remains in a serious condition in hospital.

Kelsey and Nina have issued their plea as police release 13 images of people they would like to speak to as part of the ongoing investigation.

Detective Chief Inspector Nigel Penney, has said the people in these images and thousands of others can still help determine the cause of the tragedy.

He said: “Through extensive CCTV investigation we’ve identified 13 individuals that we believe could give us more information about what went on that night including what they saw and what they heard as concertgoers.

Rebecca Ikumelo died after being caught in the crush at O2 Brixton Academy. Picture: Met Police
Rebecca Ikumelo died after being caught in the crush at O2 Brixton Academy. Picture: Met Police

“We can’t say for sure exactly what went on as this case is multifaceted and complex. We’re following the lines of inquiry to determine exactly what went on that night.

“We know that there are reasonable grounds to suspect there was criminality afoot and, without naming names, we can say that we are investigating corporate entities.

“We are investigating individuals suspected of criminality, those in employment and those who were attending the concert as concertgoers.”

Mr Penney also said the amount of security at the event is a line of inquiry as well as offences including corporate manslaughter, criminal negligence, manslaughter, health and safety at work offences and violent disorder.

Gaby’s sisters praised officers involved in the case who have kept them updated throughout the investigation.

Phoebie Turley called for justice for Gaby Hutchinson and Rebecca Ikumelo after their deaths. Picture: PA/family handout
Phoebie Turley called for justice for Gaby Hutchinson and Rebecca Ikumelo after their deaths. Picture: PA/family handout

A licence review was carried out on the venue, which is owned by Academy Music Group, by Lambeth Council after the fatal incident.

The council agreed it could reopen if it was able to comply with 77 “robust” safety conditions on Monday, September 11.

Nina said: “I completely understand that lots of artists have played there and I don’t think it’s something that future generations should lose.

“But we lost someone that night and we just need changes to be made to make sure this doesn’t happen again.

“People should be aware that that was a place where people lost their lives.”

Gaby Hutchinson, 23, died after a crowd crush at the O2 Brixton Academy. Picture: PA
Gaby Hutchinson, 23, died after a crowd crush at the O2 Brixton Academy. Picture: PA

A spokesperson for Academy Music Group (AMG) said: “We continue to be devastated by the events of December 15 and our heartfelt condolences remain with the family and friends of Rebecca Ikumelo and Gaby Hutchinson.

“What happened was and is a tragedy. Over the past year, we have been driven by determination to learn all appropriate lessons from that night to ensure it can never be repeated.

“We are pleased that the comprehensive plan for reopening the venue met with the approval of Lambeth Licensing Sub-Committee.

“AMG is working hard to implement the new conditions before welcoming fans back to O2 Academy Brixton. There will be an announcement for the reopening timeline in due course”.

Hear more from Gaby’s family on Kent Tonight at 5.30pm on Freeview channel 7 and Virgin Media channel 159.

*While Gaby’s sisters refer to him as she, they requested that media outlets refer to him as he.

The 13 people the police would like to talk to are below.

Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
Police want to talk to this man. Picture: Met Police
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