UPDATE: A third person has died after an incident at Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown last night, March 17. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton has said that a major investigation is now underway.
Police launch investigation following the deaths of 3 teens at St Patrick’s Day event in Cookstown. ACC Mark Hamilton said: “It is heart-breaking an event which should have been fun should end in such a terrible tragedy.”https://t.co/4KBKoul03J
— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 18, 2019
Two people have died and two others have been taken to hospital with injuries following reports of a crush at a St Patrick’s Day event in Northern Ireland, according to emergency services.
Update: We can confirm there are 2 fatalities and 2 people are being treated in hospital – 1 is critical and 1 is in a stable condition. Family members of all 4 people have been informed. Our thoughts are with everyone involved. The police investigation is continuing.
— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 18, 2019
One person is in hospital in critical condition, while another is in a stable condition, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) confirmed on Monday, March 18, following the event at Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown.
Police have now re-opened the road at the Greenvale hotel in Cookstown, Ireland, after reports of two young deaths during a St. Patrick’s day party. (Brendan Marshall)An investigation is currently underway to determine the cause of the incident, which was believed to be a disco for young people, reported the BBC.
“While the exact cause of the incident is still unknown, there are reports of a crush at the scene. At this stage, the cause of the incident is unknown.
“However, police have commenced a full investigation into the circumstances,” PSNI’s assistant chief constable Mark Hamilton, said.
A multi agency incident is under way at Greenvale Hotel, Cookstown. ACC Mark Hamilton said: “I can confirm there are 2 fatalities at this stage and a small no of other casualties. Parents are asked to collect children from Family and Friends reception at Glenavon Hotel.”
— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 18, 2019
Ambulance services scrambled to the scene after reports of several people feeling unwell, with doctors, paramedics and five emergency crews dispatched at around 21:30 p.m. local time.
More police have just arrived at the scene of the tragedy in Cookstown. pic.twitter.com/LP0rTWiC1X
— Mark Simpson (@BBCMarkSimpson) March 18, 2019
Over an hour later, at 22:41 local time, emergency services urged parents to come to the hotel immediately to pick up their children.
Reports of a stampede at the event began to circulate, after an eyewitness reportedly phoned UUP Councillor Trevor Wilson saying there had been a crush, the Independent reported.
“There’s clearly a deep sense of shock here tonight that an event for young people just wanting to celebrate St Patrick’s night went so horribly wrong,” Wilson told the Belfast Telegraph.
ACC Mark Hamilton added: “While the exact cause of the incident is still unknown, there are reports of a crush at the scene.”
— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 18, 2019
“There seems to have been a stampede, and a number of people have been badly injured,” Wilson added.
But the DJ who was performing at the disco at the hotel reportedly told journalist Brendan Marshall, who made his way to the scene, that the reports were false, according to the BBC.
Marshall explained he had heard that several young people fell seriously ill at the event.
“He confirmed that—contrary to the rumours that had been circulating—there had been no crushing and nothing had collapsed.
“He told me that a number of young people had become seriously ill. He said one young person was brought to him by a friend to have their pulse checked.
“The DJ then shone a light in their eyes to check whether they were alive,” Marshall told BBC News NI.
Lord William McCrea giving his reaction tonight on the tragic scenes in Cookstown. #Cookstown pic.twitter.com/iPdJYtHn1t
— Brendan Marshall (@BJPMarshall) March 18, 2019
DUP leader Arlene Foster has said her “thoughts and prayers” are with all those affected by the incident.
The injured have been taken to Craigavon Area Hospital and Antrim Area Hospital, Northern Ireland Ambulance Service said.
