Brixton Academy to reopen after fatal crush

Witnesses to a fatal crush at Brixton Academy continue to be sought by police after the venue announced it would be reopening next month.

Gaby Hutchinson, 23, and Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, died in December 2022 after ticketless fans of Afrobeat artist Asake tried to force their way into a show.

A third person remains critically injured in hospital.

The Met Police believes thousands of attendees could have vital information.

Det Ch Insp Nigel Penney told BBC Crimewatch Live there were 13 people in particular they wanted to speak to.

They also want any footage that was filmed inside the venue that evening.

He said detectives have examined "hundreds of hours" of CCTV, taken 500 witness statements, and have more than 5,000 pieces of evidence.

The venue said it will reopen on 19 April, with the first shows featuring tribute acts rather than famous bands.

It faced permanent closure after the police urged the council to remove its licence - but following a two-day hearing in September 2023, Lambeth Council's licensing sub-committee voted to allow the venue to continue operating - so long as it met "77 extensive and robust new conditions".

Bereaved family members also told Crimewatch Live they were "heartbroken" over what happened and have also urged witnesses to contact police.

Ms Ikumelo's father Anthony, said he spoke to Rebecca about three days before the event.

"I never knew that was the last time I would see her.

"I saw the doctor [at the hospital] and I said, 'no, I can't, I can't go and see her'.

He added: "My heart was broken - the shock was very, very difficult to process that time."

Gaby Hutchinson was working as security at the event.

Gaby's sister said: "She went to work to keep people safe so that they could enjoy a concert. And she never made it home.

"When we got to the hospital they just told us that she was in a coma. She was just lying there like she was asleep.

"I just remember going up, giving her a hug and a kiss and just say, 'please wake up'.

"When she went, I was holding her hand and watching her heart stop. That was my heart stopping too.

"How do you go from spending every second with someone to spending all that time alone?"

The company which owns the Brixton Academy, Academy Music Group (AMG), said it had developed new safety measures in an effort to have its licence restored, including stronger doors, a better queuing system and more secure ticketing.

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AMG said changes to its operating policies had been developed by "leading professionals" to prevent a repeat of last year's events.

The venue has spent £1.2m on maintenance and improvements in 2023, despite being closed, a hearing was told.

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