August 2011 - Vol 36, UK and Europe
Woman student, 22, killed in 'crush' at club's rave night
One young woman has died and two others were left critically injured following a crush inside a town centre nightclub in the early hours of this morning.
Killed: Northampton University student Nabila Nanfuka died in the nightclub
Nabila Nanfuka, from Neasden in north-west London, was believed to have been trampled to death in a 'stampede' as clubbers tried to leave the venue.
The 22-year-old Northampton University student, who was studying leisure and tourism, died after the crush inside the Lava and Ignite club in Northampton, caused when the DJ announced that coaches had arrived to take students back to their universities, it is claimed.
Two other women - who have not been identified - remain in a critical condition at Northampton General Hospital.
An eye-witness claimed Miss Nanfuka was killed during a 'stampede' in the overcrowded club as revellers rushed for the exit.
James Adetula was in the Lava and Ignite club when the tragedy happened.
The 21-year-old, from London, said an announcement signalling the end of the night forced clubbers towards the exits.
He said: 'It was "everybody the coaches are leaving, make your way to the exits" so everyone went for the exits. Then next minute the fire alarm went off and everyone started panicking.
'There was more than how many was supposed to be in there, it reached over-capacity. There was obviously a stampede of people in there when the fire alarm went off.'
Mr Adetula said he only found out this morning that Miss Nanfuka, who was a friend of his and who, according to him, was in her third year of a degree, was killed during the crush.
Describing her, he said: 'My heart is not settled because the person who passed away was a dear friend.
'She was a good girl, a really good girl. She wasn't a trouble-maker.'
He added: 'It was a normal event, like a club night, obviously it just ended not the way everyone expected it to end.'
Another witness said: 'It wasn't even the fire alarm that caused the stampede, although it did go off in the end.
'What happened was that the DJ announced that the coaches were leaving to take the students back to their universities. It was about 3.30 in the morning and there was a big crush as the doors opened and this poor girl was trampled to death.
'There were just too many people. There were about 1,400 in the club.'
Promising: Northampton University student Nabila Nanfuka died in the crush, which also injured two others
Grief: Friends of Nabila Nanfuka comfort each other at the scene of where she died in the early hours of this morning
Distraught: Mourners gather outside the nightclub to pay their respects and lay flowers in memory of the student
Northamptonshire Police said two other women were critically injured and are being treated in hospital. A third woman was also treated for injuries, but is not beleived to be in a critical condition.
Sergeant Mick Soley, of Northamptonshire Police said: 'Police were called to the Lava and Ignite night club where calls had been received that persons were trapped inside the premises.
'Tragically it was discovered one person had died and two others were in a critical condition possibly as a result of crush injuries received.'
A police spokesman added that the fatal and critical injuries are all thought to be the result of crushing but an investigation into the incident in ongoing to establish what happened.
Officers are on the scene carrying out an investigation while a police guard stands outside.
'Trapped': Police stand outside the Lava and Ignite Club this morning following the tragedy. The venue will be closed today and tomorrow
Inquiry: An officer enters the nightclub as police begin their investigation into the incident (left) while a woman stands over the floral tributes left at the scene
Crowded: A picture of Lava and Ignite, taken at the same event last year. Students travelled from all over the country to attend the Wickedest Wickedest night, featuring hip hop, r&b and afro-beat DJs
Fire crews were also called to the club at 3.37am, a spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue service said.
As licensing authority, Northampton Council is responsible for matters relating to the safety aspects of this type of venue, including the capacity.
This includes ensuring regular checks are carried out at premises.
Councillor David Palethorpe, Leader of Northampton Council said: 'This is a terrible tragedy and we have the deepest sympathy for the families of everyone involved.
'As the licensing authority, we will of course play our part to support the police investigation in every way we can.'
Tributes to Miss Nanfuka had already started appearing on Twitter this morning, before officials confirmed her identity.
Tributes: Two women are seen fixing flowers to a pole outside the club following the death of Nabila Nanfuka
'It could have been any one of us': One message of condolence appears to have been written by someone inside the club last night
Some of the online tributes appear to be from others inside the club last night, while others seems to be from those who knew her.
Twitter user RealGagaSlim said: 'Wtf a girl died at #WickedestWickedest :| ... Sometimes home is the best place to be :('.
Faiza_BABY added: 'This poor girl at #wickedestwickedest, i fink she fell dwn the stairs n people trampled on her...i saw her on the floor :('
Another tweet from Imz said: 'R.I.P... Im sorry that you left all those that cared and loved you in such a way..'
Scores of youngsters were thought to have attended the rave night at the venue called Wickedest Wickedest, featuring hip hop, r&b, afro-beats and house music.
Popular: The event was a second anniversary bash for the club night Wickedest Wickedest
It is believed that the events attracted students from universities in different parts of the country who travelled to Northmpton on coaches.
The night started at 9pm and was due to finish at 4am.
The club's website described the night as the second anniversary of 'one of the biggest events to grace the scene'.
A notice on the club's website said the venue would be closed today and tomorrow. No one at the club was available for comment.
An investigation involving police and the local council has been launched into the incident.
