A young woman thought she “was going to die” after attending a concert which left one woman dead and three people in critical condition.
Pearl Adewale says she "panicked" after losing her friends as crowds began screaming and running “for their lives” at the Brixton O2 Academy venue in South London on December 15.
She says she believed it was a “prank” when organisers began asking attendees to exit the Brixton location, but moments later she was left "shivering and scared" in a corner.
The 21-year-old had been excited to see Afrobeats artist Asake perform for the first time after buying her tickets from a reseller.
But following the chaotic and tragic scenes which ensued, she says that she will never return to the venue after the “most traumatic” experience “ever.”
Speaking to the Mirror, she said: “I thought I was literally gonna die.
“It was honestly the most traumatic thing in my life. I was standing near the front, so about four rows from the front row.
“It came to Asake actually getting on and he only performed for about eight minutes until somebody came on stage and was like, ‘well, the concert is cancelled. Everybody has to leave.’ And we're just like, ‘is this a prank? Like, what is going on?’”
Pearl says she and her friends waited around for a few minutes hoping that Asake would return to the stage. But shortly after, things took a turn for the worst.
“Five minutes after [they announced], everybody just started running for their lives," she said.
“I initially thought someone was shooting. I was in a panic.
“My heart started racing. I thought I would die honestly and that I had no control over the situation.
“I couldn't see a way of even getting out. I was holding onto my friend because we were all running and scattering and she let go of me.
“I wanted to cry at that moment because I didn't recognise anyone around me. I was trying to find my friends. I lost my friends and screaming like, ‘what's going on?’"
The Metropolitan Police said there were no reports of anyone with a gun at the venue.
Pearl eventually scrambled to find her friends while the organisers told concertgoers to use the rear exit. But amid the chaos, she says she was backed into a corner near the stage.
She said: “They said we couldn't exit through where we came from when we entered because the police barricaded it.
“While we were running, we didn't know where to go. We were like being backed into a corner next to the stage.
“We were standing there all shivering and scared and then I finally found my friends.
Pearl says she eventually managed to leave the venue, however, she says that she was met with more scenes of people running and “getting hurt.”
She said: “We came outside to realise that a bunch of people were running. We saw a bunch of people out by the street. People getting hurt. The police were absolutely everywhere.
“And to be sent outside where it’s dangerous and as young females - it’s been reported that females are the ones who got hurt so I just feel like it was handled very poorly and we were just told to get out.
“I'm so glad I made it out of that. I was very grateful.”
Tributes have poured in for a mum-of-two who was killed at a crowd crush at a concert in London this week, including from the artist performing at the time of the tragedy.
Rebecca Ikulemo passed away on Saturday December 17 following the incident on Thursday.
Artist Asake led tributes to the mum, saying: "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."
Speaking at the scene on Friday, Metropolitan Police Ch Supt Colin Wingrove said officers were called by staff at the venue "following reports that a large number of people were attempting to force entry".
Pearl says she spoke to people outside the venue who she believes were “scammed” by resellers and others who attempted to come without legitimate tickets.
She says she also noticed concertgoers having discrepancies over their tickets before the gig started.
Peark said: “I was coming into the venue, there was a guy next to me and he actually had a screenshot of an email.
“And the [venue staffer] asked him, ‘did you buy this with a reseller?’ He was like, ‘yes, I did’ She was like,’I need a QR code.’
“I felt like a lot of people are getting scammed or they’re literally buying off resellers. I was so shocked how he didn’t get in and I got in because my ticket was from the actual website.
“I think it was resellers being very greedy and tricking people.”
“I think it’s a bit of both because I know some people there did not have tickets. My friend spoke to somebody and they said they came late and because she came late she was stuck outside with all those people trying to force their way into the venue.”
“I think it was a mixture of people who didn’t get there on time and had a legitimate ticket and were quite angry because they paid for the event and couldn’t get in.
“And other people are trying to force their way because they haven’t got a ticket or they’ve got a reseller ticket that doesn’t work.”
Pearl says she has not heard directly from Ticketmaster or the Brixton O2 Academy in regards to a refund or the horrific events that transpired.
She also added that she would not be returning to the venue.
Pearl said: “I've heard absolutely nothing. No talk of a refund. Nothing.
"I’m never going back. Never. I’m traumatised. I genuinely thought I was going to die. I had people calling me texting me, they could feel the pain people were going through.”
A spokesperson for Ticketmaster said they could not offer a statement while the investigation is ongoing.
A spokesperson for the Brixton O2 Academy said: “O2 Academy Brixton is fully supporting the ongoing police investigation.”
