Scroll down for updates, please.
Oh no, not again.
My buddy Elie sent me this link from CBC News. Radiohead‘s stage collapsed this afternoon — CBC News reports that a person is dead and at least 3 others are injured. Toronto Star is reporting that it’s one dead and one injured critically. It’s nice and calm here in Toronto today, I doubt this was weather-related. From CBC News:
A stage at Toronto’s Downsview Park has collapsed in advance of a scheduled Radiohead concert, killing one person and injuring at least three, according to Toronto EMS.
Calls came in to emergency crews at about 4 p.m. ET. One person was transported to Sunnybrook Hospital in serious condition while two others assessed at the scene have minor injuries.
CBC’s Maria Nunes was driving by the park when she noticed the commotion. From her vantage point. she could see five ambulances, two police cars and a firetruck.
The 7:30 p.m. concert is cancelled. Gates had been scheduled to open at 5 p.m.
Some people at the park ahead of the show are saying on Twitter that the area has been cleared by emergency crews.
Police say the park wasn’t full but there was a considerable crowd of people already waiting for the show, and they are now leaving the area. The park is a frequent site of concerts, and 40,000 people were expected for tonight’s sold-out show by the hugely popular English band. The opener was to be Canadian act Caribou.
The weather in Toronto at the time of the accident was seemingly calm, with temperatures in the high 20s and the forecast calling for light winds.
More as it develops. Radiohead was playing at Downsview Park near downtown for the North by Northeast Festival. They’ve since cancelled the show.
Somebody taped the news broadcast below:
Update, Saturday, 7:13pm Eastern:
Most reports are saying that one person was killed, and the consensus is either three wounded or “several” wounded. I spoke with a friend who was heading down early to see the Flaming Lips show later in the evening, and she said that there are lots of folks heading away from the Downsview Park area. Police are asking people not to head to the area so that everything can be secured and investigated.
Story at the Montreal Gazette
Story at the Globe and Mail
Story at the Guardian
Story at the Province
Story at Canada.com
Story at NowPublic
I’m so sorry to have to report of the injured and killed again. That is my least favorite part of writing.
More as I find it. I’m not sure if this is even the time to bring it up, but there’s a creep around the place that Radiohead is playing at Sneaky Pete’s tonight; something not a rumor is that all ticket holders are being refunded for the show.
From NowPublic:
Update, Sunday, June 17, 5:51pm:
CNN posted an aerial flyby and an article of the Toronto stage that came down yesterday. See below:
Thanks, @mcpoley, for tweeting the link.
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Update, Monday, June 18, 2012, 9:55am:
I have to report that the name of the one man killed has been released. Radiohead (and Keane) drum tech Scott Johnson, 33, was killed by what investigators are calling “a heavy, crushing injury.” I’m so sorry to have to report that. Another industry veteran down. Investigations are being called “fairly complex,” but none of the outside investigation parties are being named at this time.
From the Toronto Star:
The provincial Ministry of Labour remained tight-lipped Sunday on details surrounding a stage collapse at Downsview Park that killed a drum technician for Radiohead and forced the cancellation of a sold-out show.
A spokesperson for the British band identified the drum technician as Scott Johnson, 33, of Doncaster, England. Johnson also toured with another U.K. band Keane.
“He was a lovely man, always positive, supportive and funny; a highly skilled and valued member of our great road crew,” Radiohead wrote on its website. “We will miss him very much.”
As three inspectors and two engineers from the ministry scoured the scene Sunday, it remained unclear what caused the massive structure to crumble, crushing Johnson and injuring three others.
Johnson was pronounced dead at the scene after sustaining what police said was a “heavy, crushing injury.”
Ministry spokesperson Matt Blajer said the investigation is “fairly complex” but could not confirm the names of any involved companies.
Meanwhile, industry professionals are questioning the circumstances leading up to the fatal accident, which occurred on an otherwise bright and sunny day, with only light winds.
From Radiohead‘s website:
We have all been shattered by the loss of Scott Johnson, our friend and colleague. He was a lovely man, always positive, supportive and funny; a highly skilled and valued member of our great road crew. We will miss him very much. Our thoughts and love are with Scott’s family and all those close to him.
Rest in peace, Scott Johnson. More as it develops.
