Northern Ireland: 3 Youths Crushed To Death At St. Paddy's Party

St. Patrick’s Day celebrations turned tragic early Monday morning when three teenagers were “crushed” to death at a hotel bar in Cookstown in Northern Ireland.

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The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said they confirmed two deaths on scene at the Greenvale Hotel in County Tyrone. Two others were taken to hospital and one of the party-goers died at a nearby hospital, according to Assistant Chief Constable Mark Hamilton.

Speaking from the hotel, Hamilton said that two of the deceased were 17 years old and the third, 16.

"Our preliminary investigations show there was a crush towards the front door of this hotel,” informed the police chief.

"There looks like there was a large crowd of young people pushing up against the hotel," Hamilton told reporters from outside the establishment.

The Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) said they received calls around 9:30 pm to help those with serious injuries.

"NIAS despatched two Rapid Response Paramedics, two doctors and five emergency crews to the scene," said the local medic service.

A witness told Belfast Live: “A lot of people had congregated outside the Greenvale 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."

A mother of survivors of the incident, Emma Heatherington, says her two sons told her: “There was a huge crowd waiting to get into the venue and then a lot of commotion up near the front of the queue, then they said the emergency services arrived and they were all asked to leave,” said the distraught mom.

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"They came home very, very shaken with rumors that some people had died."

Heatherington added: "While it's not clear exactly what happened, it's the most tragic ending imaginable to what was supposed to be a celebration of St Patrick's Day."

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."