Australian dies after beach party fall

A 25-year-old Australian nurse injured after a massive beach party in Brighton, died today, police said.

The news of Karen Manders’ death came as DJ Fat Boy Slim, who staged the event which attracted 250,000 revellers, said he would not repeat the beach party unless the public’s safety could be guaranteed.

Ms Manders, who lived in east London, died at 1pm at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton after falling from railings hours after the free concert finished.

Police, who initially treated the fall as suspicious, believe she lost her balance and toppled from the Upper Esplanade near the beach on to the Lower Esplanade.

Her parents flew to the UK from Brisbane to be at her bedside. Miss Manders, who lived in Shandy Street, Bethnal Green, and worked at the capital’s Homerton Hospital, suffered multiple injuries in the fall which happened as thousands of revellers made their way from the beach.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: ‘‘It appears to have been a tragic accident. She may have lost her balance while sitting on the barrier having become separated from her friends.’’

As the emergency services and council boss continued to discuss how to prevent a repeat of Saturday night’s events, Hove-based Fat Boy Slim, real name Norman Cook, told the Evening Argus newspaper: ‘‘We probably won’t do it again. I don’t take safety issues lightly.

‘‘I will only do it again if we can guarantee people’s safety and if that many people are going to come then we can’t.’’

Huge piles of rubbish, bottles and broken glass were almost cleared away today.

Another beach party planned by Channel 4 for Brighton seafront next Sunday has been cancelled following Saturday night’s events, council chiefs said today.

The proposed live concert for the T4 entertainment programme was to see more live bands perform on the beach close to where Fat Boy Slim held his gig.

But today Brighton and Hove City Council said it could not guarantee the safety of revellers so soon after the Big Beach Boutique which led to chaotic scenes, with people being rescued from the sea and others clinging to ambulances to escape the crush.

Ian Duncan, chairman of the council’s culture, regeneration and housing committee, said:

'‘Inevitably, following the overwhelming attendance at the Fatboy Slim event, we had to look at our abilities to stage another large event so quickly.

‘‘There is no guarantee that the members of the safety advisory group could realistically estimate the number of people that might attend the C4 event. Therefore, the decision not to go ahead with the event has been taken on safety grounds. Channel 4 has been informed.

‘‘The decision does not mean that we are closing the door on future events of a similar nature on the seafront. All such events will need to be assessed on their individual merit and a risk assessment carried out.

‘‘The city and its businesses thrive on events like this and the prosperity they bring.’’ Another beach party planned by Channel 4 for Brighton seafront next Sunday has been cancelled following Saturday night’s events, council chiefs said today.