Standing ovation as clubber who helped people out of Northampton nightclub crush collects bravery award

A man who pulled clubbers stuck in a nightclub stairway crush to safety was among those given bravery awards for their actions in the Lava & Ignite tragedy of 2011.
London man Chinedu Ani has been commended for his actions in repeatedly trying to pull trapped people out of the Lava & Ignite staircase crush and to safety.London man Chinedu Ani has been commended for his actions in repeatedly trying to pull trapped people out of the Lava & Ignite staircase crush and to safety.
London man Chinedu Ani has been commended for his actions in repeatedly trying to pull trapped people out of the Lava & Ignite staircase crush and to safety.

Chief officers from Northamptonshire’s three emergency services held a joint ceremony to commend the selfless actions of 17 people on that night in 2011, in which two people lost their lives.

Clubbers at town centre venue Lava & Ignite were caught in a crush on the main staircase area and students Nabila Nanfuka, 22, and Laurene-Danielle Jackson, 19, subsequently died from crush injuries.

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At the ceremony held at Northampton High School three police officers, five fire officers, six ambulance staff and three members of the public were awarded formal commendations for the actions they took in responding to the incident.

A further 116 members of emergency services staff received letters of appreciation.

Richard Henderson, director of operations with East Midlands Ambulance Service said: “This was a very challenging and stressful incident where split second decisions had to be made. We are extremely proud of the actions taken by the emergency teams.

“They worked together very effectively, in tremendously difficult circumstances. They showed a great deal of compassion in supporting trapped, distressed and injured members of the public.”

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One of the three members of public to be awarded a commendation travelled from his home in London to attend the event.

Chinedu Ani was commended for his actions in repeatedly trying to pull trapped people out of the staircase crush and to safety.

At the event he received a standing ovation from emergency services personnel for his brave and selfless act.

Those receiving awards:

Northamptonshire Police: Karen Canwell, Joshua Deville, Steve Neal.

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EMAS: Mark Davies, Sasha Tinston, Helen McDonnell, Charlotte Lewis; Marc Kilby; Keith Sharp.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue: Steve Swann, Nick Ferrison, Jamie Thompson, Mark Doran, Ian Kingston.

Members of the public: Leonel Oliviera, Chinedu Ani, Olabanji Gellately-Olanrewaju.