Olivia Burt, a student at Durham University, died on 7 February 2018 when a metal fence, against which she and her friends were queuing outside Missoula Nightclub, collapsed. Since her death, Olivia’s parents have continued to fight for answers to understand how their daughter died and the lessons that can be learned from her tragic death.
Following a police investigation, Olivia’s case was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider charges of gross negligence manslaughter and corporate manslaughter. On 3 September 2020, the CPS confirmed that there was insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for the offences of manslaughter by gross negligence and corporate manslaughter to be brought against any individual(s) or companies connected to the events which led to Olivia’s death.
Olivia’s parents, Nigel and Paula Burt, commented as follows:
Clearly we are deeply disappointed that after such a lengthy investigation, lasting more than two and a half years this decision has been reached. We hope that there will now be a thorough and independent investigation into whether any health and safety offences have been committed.
Photo credit: The family