AN MP has spoken of her dismay after Heath and Safety Executive said it would not be able to oversee an inquiry into the death of a student in a crush incident outside a city nightclub.

Olivia Burt suffered fatal head injuries during a crowd surge as people queued to get into the Missoula nightclub, in Durham City, shortly before midnight on Wednesday, February 7.

City of Durham MP Roberta Blackman-Woods had called on the HSE to supervise investigations into the death of the Durham University student.

But, in a letter to the MP, the HSE indicated that it is unable to take on an independent supervisory role in the investigations, as it has no powers of oversight in such cases unless the local authority is unable to carry out its role.

Despite this, the HSE has indicated that it will respond positively to any requests from the local authority for access to relevant HSE specialists to support the ongoing investigations.

Dr Blackman-Woods said: “I am extremely disappointed that the HSE has indicated it is not able to take on a supervisory role in the ongoing investigations into Olivia’s tragic death.

“This awful situation raises a number of complex and interwoven issues, such as the suitability of the Walkergate development as a location for the night time economy, the council’s licensing policy for Durham, and policing strategies within the city amongst others.

“The police and the local authority will of course carry out their investigations professionally and thoroughly but, given the complexity of the matters involved, a degree of independent oversight would increase public trust in the investigations.”

She added: “I will be writing back to the HSE to express my concern about the response I have received, as well as contacting the relevant minister to ask why the HSE is unable to take on this role, and asking that in such complex cases the HSE always has a role to play.

“I will also be following this matter up with Durham County Council to make sure it is in contact with the HSE to access as much specialist help and advice it needs to make sure the investigation into Olivia’s death is completed as quickly and comprehensively as possible.”

A HSE spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened about the death of Olivia Burt, however we are unable to provide the oversight Ms Blackman-Woods has requested.

“Our statutory obligations are clear; we have no general powers to oversee the conduct of investigations carried out by local authorities or the police.

“Our offer to Durham County Council of our specialist assistance remains in place.”

An inquest was opened last week into the into the death of Miss Burt and adjourned. She was a former head girl at Bournemouth School for Girls, from Milford-on-Sea, near Bournemouth. An accomplished sailor, she was part of the British Sailing team in the European Championships.