Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the reported ‘crush’ at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown outside a St Patrick’s night party last night which claimed the lives of three young people.
The three teenagers who died are a 17-year-old girl, a 17-year-old boy and a 16-year old boy. A 16-year-old girl is in a stable condition in hospital. A further two teenagers were treated for injuries they received during the incident.
It’s understood there was a large group of people waiting to get into the hotel. Police say there were reports of some fighting – and at least one person has reported that they were assaulted. Police are asking people NOT to share footage on social media.
PSNI Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said it is a ‘heartbreaking’ incident.
“First and foremost my thoughts this morning are very much with the families of the three young people who passed away and those who were injured. It is heartbreaking that an event which should have been fun for these youngsters on St Patrick’s night should end in such a terrible tragedy,” he said.
Detectives have now launched an investigation in conjunction with Environmental Health at Mid Ulster Council to try and establish what happened.
Police say events unfolded shortly before 9.30pm last night when the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service received a 999 call with reports of people injured outside the hotel. They declared it a major incident and police, Fire Service and Environmental Health then also attended the scene.
Police arrived within two minutes of the call form the Ambulance Service and quickly secured the scene.
“We made an urgent appeal via social media to parents of the young people to come and collect them from a Friends and Family Centre which was established in the nearby Glenavon Hotel.
“Our investigation is at an early stage, and while the exact cause of the incident is still unknown, there are reports of a crush at the scene and initial enquiries indicate that a large group of young people were waiting to enter a disco,” he said.
Police say they are continuing to interview people who were there to establish the full facts.
“I would appeal to anyone who witnessed what happened to contact police on 101 ext 52014. We need parents to talk to their children this morning and encourage them to come and tell us what happened. Please do not post photographs or videos online. Please share them with the PSNI,” he added.
“I would also ask motorists who have dash cam footage, as well as anyone who captured the incident on their mobile phone through photographs or video, to upload them to Major Incident Public Portal https://mipp.police.uk/ “ he added.
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
ACC Mark Hamilton extends condolences to the families of the three teenagers who died at a St. Patrick’s Day event in Cookstown. A major investigation is now underway. pic.twitter.com/UiktCkx4IU
— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 18, 2019
Can't sleep thinking about those families who have got the worst news imaginable from Cookstown tonight. Praying for them and those seriously ill in hospital. Absolute tragedy ?
— Patricia Devlin (@trishdevlin) March 18, 2019
Major response to last night's incident from emergency services #Cookstown pic.twitter.com/CVQgU61WST
— Connla Young (@ConnlaYoung) March 18, 2019
Police are dealing with an incident at Greenvale Hotel, Cookstown. Fire and Ambulance Service are also in attendance. Chief Insp Graham Dodds said:”The St Patrick’s event is now over and I would appeal to parents to make contact with their children and collect them immediately.”
— PSNI (@PoliceServiceNI) March 17, 2019
The police have confirmed that there have been fatalities and my thoughts are with those families receiving such devastating news.
Cookstown is a tightly knit community and the loss of life will be felt right across the entire area.
— Keith Buchanan MLA (@Buchanan_dup) March 18, 2019
At Drum Road, Cookstown. Sincerest thoughts and prayers for all the families https://t.co/4Nrft3aDXA
— Patsy McGlone (@patsymcglone) March 18, 2019