Family tribute to O2 crush death guard who 'protected those they loved fiercely'

The family of a security guard who died after the crowd crush at O2 Academy Brixton have paid tribute to their “selfless” relative.

Gaby Hutchinson, 23, was on duty during a show by Afrobeats artist Asake when ticketless fans stormed the south London venue last Thursday.

The 23-year-old, from Gravesend in Kent, died in hospital on Monday from injuries sustained in the incident.

In a tribute reported by BBC Newsbeat, family members said Gaby “protected those they loved fiercely and it was the same with Gaby’s job”.

“When Gaby loved you, it was with their whole heart,” relatives said.

The O2 Academy concert venue in Brixton was cordoned off by the police following a crush outside the venue (AFP via Getty Images)

They added: "Gaby has brought so much love, laughter and inappropriate jokes into our lives and will forever be our baby, our daughter, our sister, our man and our joy.

“Getting 23 years of Gaby’s life was a blessing and one we will never forget. Gaby will forever live on in our hearts.

“No-one should go to work and not come home.

“But Gaby protected those they loved fiercely and it was the same with Gaby’s job.”

Gaby Hutchinson had been working as a security guard at the venue (PA)

Phoebie Turley posted a heartbreaking tribute to Gaby (Facebook)

Gaby's girlfriend Phoebie Turley also paid tribute to her yesterday.

Posting a heartbreaking message to Facebook, she wrote: “My absolute world. I love you with my entire heart and soul”.

Chief Superintendent Colin Wingrove from the Metropolitan Police said: “It is devastating news that a second person has lost their life following the events on Thursday.

“I wish to express my heartfelt condolences to Gaby’s family at this unimaginably difficult time.”

The force said the three people critically injured in the crush were all in the foyer of the building.

Police forensic investigators were seen outside Brixton Academy after the crush (Thabo Jaiyesimi/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock)

The venue said its “heartfelt condolences” were with Mr Hutchinson’s family and friends.

“We continue to be devastated by this tragic situation and are fully supporting the ongoing investigation.”

Gaby Hutchinson was one of three people badly hurt in the crush and the second person to die.

Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, from Newham, east London, died in hospital on Saturday and a 21-year-old woman remains seriously ill in hospital.

Police are investigating the circumstances which led to four people sustaining critical injuries in an apparent crush (PA)

Ms Ikumelo’s family paid tribute to the “adorable mother-of-two” who was a nursing graduate.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) under standard practice following incidents where police had been in attendance and members of the public had been seriously injured.

The Met said the three people critically injured in the crush were all in the foyer of the building.

Gaby's girlfriend said the late security guard was her 'absolute world' (Facebook)

Asake, whose real name is Ahmed Ololade, was recently nominated for BBC Radio 1’s Sound of 2023 award, for artists breaking through in the UK.

Ahead of the gig, he urged fans not to go to the venue without a valid ticket.

The concert was the third of three sold-out dates at the 4,921-standing capacity venue and concluded a run of UK dates.