Only half the recommended number of medical staff were on duty at the O2 Brixton Academy the night two people – including a security guard from Kent – were killed in a crush, it is claimed.

Gaby Hutchinson, 23, from Gravesend, was working at the south London venue when ticketless fans attempted to force their way into a concert by Afrobeats Asake.

Gaby died four days later in hospital, while concert-goer Rebecca Ikumelo, 33, was also fatally injured.

Now whistleblowers at the venue’s medical provider – Collingwood Services Ltd – have claimed the medical cover at the gig had been "inadequate".

Insiders told the BBC none of the five people working at the venue had a paramedic qualification.

The company is also facing claims it had previously not provided enough staff for concerts while medical supplies were out of date.

Medical provider Collingwood Services Ltd has denied the allegations.

It said it was "fully confident" its team had "responded speedily, efficiently and with best practice" in response to the Brixton Academy incident.

“We believe strongly that the swift action and skill of medical staff, emergency services and others who assisted... were instrumental in avoiding further serious injuries or loss of life,” it said.

However, whistleblowers at the company have claimed two student paramedics were on duty without senior medical supervision on the night of the crush.

Industry standards recommend at least 10 medical staff, including a paramedic and a nurse, are available for a crowd of the size in attendance, it is alleged.

The BBC said Collingwood had confirmed that five trained medical staff were on duty that night, including two “first responders”, while two student paramedics were operating as “emergency medical technicians”.

It said “all staff present were qualified to carry out the scope of practice they were contracted to perform”, and confirmed that “no member of staff was contracted to provide paramedic level duties at the event.”

"We are in full support of the investigation into the causes of the events..."

Collingwood Services Ltd said in a statement it had conducted its own internal investigation.

"We remain profoundly shocked and saddened by the events of December 15 2022 at the Brixton O2 Academy, where our company was engaged to supply medical staffing services," it added.

"Our deepest condolences are with the families and friends of Rebecca Ikumelo and Gaby Hutchinson, who tragically later lost their lives as a result of injuries sustained that evening.

"Our thoughts are with all those in attendance on the night, including the emergency services and medical staff who worked so hard under exceptionally challenging circumstances to help all those injured and affected."

"We are in full support of the investigation into the causes of the events of 15 December and welcome any outcomes of the ensuing report which would stop similar tragedies happening in the future."

American Music Group (AMG), which operates the venue, has been approached for comment.

Last month, Lambeth councillors voted to suspend O2 Academy Brixton's licence for three months.

The venue has remained closed since the incident, with AMG revealing the venue will remain shut until the police investigation is finished.

The licence will remain suspended until 12.01am on April 16, and the decision also includes the condition that any licensable activity cannot take place until steps have been taken to address lessons learned from the crush.