Two people are killed and others hurt after ‘dozens of panicked teenagers spark stampede’ at St Patrick’s Day disco in Northern Ireland

• Emergency services have rushed to a serious incident at a hotel in Cookstown 
• Two people died after ‘dozens of panicked youngsters sparked a stampede’ 
• Greenvale Hotel is thought to have been hosting St Patrick’s Day event for teens

Two people have died following reports of a ‘crush’ outside a hotel in Cookstown, County Londonderry, in Northern Ireland, police said. 

Emergency services rushed to The Greenvale Hotel on Sunday night where several other people are said to be hurt – with paramedics confirming they took four casualties to hospital. 

The venue was hosting a St Patrick’s Day event for teenagers, and police urged parents to pick up their children from the Drum Road event. 

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Two people have died following reports of a ‘crush’ outside a hotel in Cookstown, County Londonderry, in Northern Ireland , police said (pictured the scene on Sunday night)

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said: ‘I can confirm there are two fatalities at this stage and a small number of other casualties.  

‘At this stage the cause of the incident is unknown, however police have commenced a full investigation into the circumstances.’

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He added: ‘While the exact cause of the incident is still unknown, there are reports of a crush at the scene.’ 

However, in a confusing scene, other witnesses denied there had been a ‘crush’ with the venue’s DJ claiming a ‘number of young people had become seriously ill’, the BBC reported.

Emergency services rushed to The Greenvale Hotel on Sunday night where several other people are said to be hurt 

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton said: ‘I can confirm there are two fatalities at this stage and a small number of other casualties’ 

Posting on Facebook at around 10.40, PSNI Cookstown asked parents to ‘immediately’ collect their children. 

A statement read: ‘We are dealing with a ongoing incident at Greenvale Hotel. Can we ask that all parents please collect their children immediately. Do not post rumours in the comments.’ 

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it had received several calls from about 9.30pm on Sunday and sent two rapid-response paramedics, two doctors and five emergency crews to the scene.

The service added: ‘Three patients have been taken, by ambulance, to Antrim Area Hospital for treatment for various injuries and another to Craigavon Area Hospital.’

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said it had received several calls from about 9.30pm on Sunday and sent two rapid-response paramedics, two doctors and five emergency crews to the scene

Colin Neill, chief executive of Hospitality Ulster, said: ‘We are devastated to hear of the confirmed PSNI report of at least two deaths this evening at the Greenvale Hotel in Cookstown. 

‘This is shocking and tragic news and our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased.’ 

Chief Inspector 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.’ 

A source told Belfast Live: ‘This is a desperate situation on what should have been a fantastic night. It will be memorable for all the wrong reasons now.

The venue was hosting a St Patrick’s Day event for teenagers, and police urged parents to pick up their children from the Drum Road event (file photo)

‘A lot of people had congregated outside the Greeenvale and there was a lot of carry on but suddenly all hell broke loose and there was a big panic. 

‘People were running all over the place. We were trying to get away. Someone was doing CPR on someone on the ground.’ 

Speaking from the scene to the BBC, UUP councillor Trevor Wilson said: ‘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.’

The Drum Road remains closed with diversions in place. 

DUP leader Arlene Foster tweeted: ‘Thoughts and prayers with everyone impacted by this tonight’.

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