Beach tragedy: 'We don't blame anyone'

In their first interview, Ken and Jan Manders told how the controversial Normstock II concert had been one of their daughter's happiest nights.

Karen Manders, 25, told friends on the beach just hours before her death: "I'm so happy I could burst."

Her parents flew from their home in Australia to say their goodbyes before doctors turned off their daughter's life-support machine.

Karen suffered head and spinal injuries after toppling backwards from railings on the Kings Road promenade three hours after the July 13 gig on Brighton beach.

She plunged about 20ft on to the Lower Esplanade and never regained consciousness. It is understood she had been sitting on the railings when the accident happened.

The party attracted 250,000 people and ended with dozens suffering cuts and crush injuries, sparking an on-going debate.

Many called the event a huge success but others said it was a near-disaster because of overcrowding.

Karen's parents said they were concerned about the safety of the railings, especially the rounded pole at the top on which people often sit, but they insisted the tragedy was no one's fault.

They heaped praise on Sussex Police and those who treated Karen, for their kindness and care, saying it had been a great comfort.

Mr Manders, a 56-year-old maintenance engineer, said: "Karen was a great girl who really enjoyed life.

"She was on the beach dancing, enjoying the show and the fireworks. She turned round to her mate and said, 'I'm so happy I could burst'."

Mrs Manders, 58, who works in a children's day care centre, said: "Karen was very popular and had lots of friends and boyfriends.

"She was a lovely, caring person and had a wonderful smile that could light up a room. To know her was to love her."

Karen's parents, her sister Nicole, 31, in Australia, and her brother Jason, 30, in London, have spent the past week in a daze.

Jason, described by his parents as a "rock" throughout the ordeal, had telephoned Australia with the bad news.

Mr and Mrs Manders caught the first available flight and were rushed through Heathrow airport.

They were driven by police to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

Sussex Police family liaison officer, Detective Constable Caroline Robinson, was with them throughout.

Mr Manders said: "She put us at ease and couldn't do enough for us.

"Everyone is quick to criticise the police but they do so much good and get so little credit. If it was up to me she would get a medal."

At the hospital, staff put a telephone to Karen's ear as she lay close to death when her sister Nicole called from Australia.

The teacher and mother-of-three told Karen how much she loved her and whispered a tearful farewell.

Her mother, standing by the bed, had brought Nicole's necklace for Karen to wear just hours before her life-support machine was switched off.

Mrs Manders, who now wears the necklace, along with one which belonged to Karen, said the family had been touched by messages of sympathy.

Karen, called Kaz by her family, was planning a trip through Europe with friends in a van when she visited Brighton.

She came to Britain in 2000 and was working as an accident and emergency nurse at Homerton University Hospital in Hackney, London.

One doctor wrote: "I have been fortunate to have known Karen for two years. Ever since, she has been special to me and we shared some wonderful times. She was a beautiful woman."

The hospital is planning a memorial service later this month.

Karen's funeral will take place in Brighton and her ashes will be flown home to scatter from her favourite beach in Cairns, Queensland.

Mr Manders said: "There is a big hole in our lives now but we have been very lucky to have had Kaz. She was such a beautiful girl."

Mrs Manders, who raised Karen as a Catholic, said: "We have got some wonderful memories to cherish. She is up there now, waiting for me with my mum."