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Radiohead lead tributes to stage collapse victim | Radiohead lead tributes to stage collapse victim |
(40 minutes later) | |
British band Radiohead are said to be "shattered" by the death of their "friend and colleague" Scott Johnson, who was killed when a stage collapsed before their show in Toronto, Canada. | British band Radiohead are said to be "shattered" by the death of their "friend and colleague" Scott Johnson, who was killed when a stage collapsed before their show in Toronto, Canada. |
The 33-year-old drum technician, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, was setting up for the band on Saturday when the top part of the stage fell on him. | The 33-year-old drum technician, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, was setting up for the band on Saturday when the top part of the stage fell on him. |
Mr Johnson had worked for other British bands, including Keane and White Lies. | Mr Johnson had worked for other British bands, including Keane and White Lies. |
"We will miss him very much," said Radiohead's drummer Phil Selway. | "We will miss him very much," said Radiohead's drummer Phil Selway. |
"He was a lovely man, always positive, supportive and funny," he went on in a statement on the band's website. | "He was a lovely man, always positive, supportive and funny," he went on in a statement on the band's website. |
"He was a highly skilled and valued member of our great road crew. | "He was a highly skilled and valued member of our great road crew. |
"Our thoughts and love are with Scott's family and all those close to him." | "Our thoughts and love are with Scott's family and all those close to him." |
'A true pro' | 'A true pro' |
Other musicians have been paying tribute on Twitter, among them White Lies drummer Jack Lawrence Brown. | Other musicians have been paying tribute on Twitter, among them White Lies drummer Jack Lawrence Brown. |
"Scott worked with White Lies on a show earlier in the year as my drum tech," he said on Twitter. | "Scott worked with White Lies on a show earlier in the year as my drum tech," he said on Twitter. |
"A very talented man and a lovely guy all round. Glad to have known him. A big loss. RIP Scott." | "A very talented man and a lovely guy all round. Glad to have known him. A big loss. RIP Scott." |
Richard Jupp, drummer with Manchester band Elbow, tweeted: "RIP Scott Johnson. Lost a great mate and true pro. A kinder bloke you could not meet." | Richard Jupp, drummer with Manchester band Elbow, tweeted: "RIP Scott Johnson. Lost a great mate and true pro. A kinder bloke you could not meet." |
Portishead's Geoff Barrow wrote: "Shocking to hear the passing of crew member Scott Johnson of the Radiohead tour. My thoughts and condolences are with everyone involved." | Portishead's Geoff Barrow wrote: "Shocking to hear the passing of crew member Scott Johnson of the Radiohead tour. My thoughts and condolences are with everyone involved." |
The Charlatans' frontman Tim Burgess called the death "tragic", adding: "Our thoughts are with the family of Scott Johnson." | The Charlatans' frontman Tim Burgess called the death "tragic", adding: "Our thoughts are with the family of Scott Johnson." |
Ian West, Mr Johnson's drum teacher in Doncaster, also paid tribute to his former pupil, calling him "a great student and a great drummer". | |
"He got a lucky break and made the most of it, he never looked back," said West. | |
"The list of bands he worked with was endless. His CV had every band worth their salt on it, a lot of British bands and world class bands." | "The list of bands he worked with was endless. His CV had every band worth their salt on it, a lot of British bands and world class bands." |
Three other crew members were injured in the accident, two of which were treated at the scene. | |
According to Toronto Police spokesman Tony Vella, the condition of a third man who was hospitalised with a head injury is improving. | |
Investigation underway | |
A team of inspectors and engineers from the Ontario Ministry of Labour have begun searching through the wreckage to try and establish what caused the stage to collapse. | |
Ministry spokesman Matt Blajer said the massive structure is "still fairly unstable" and that work was underway to make it safe. | |
The collapse happened an hour before the Oxfordshire band were due on stage, with Radiohead fans already beginning to queue outside. | |
The sell-out concert was cancelled due to what were described as "unforeseen circumstances". | |
Ministry spokesman Blajer said the investigation is "fairly complex" and it could take some time to figure out exactly what happened. | |
Contrary to early speculation, there were no strong gusts of wind at the time the stage collapsed. | |
Authorities are also investigating whether safety regulations and standards were followed and if staff were properly trained. | |
Tony Bellavance, Fire Services Platoon Chief in Toronto, said officials were alerted to a person trapped under the wreckage and crews assisted in extracting the victim. | Tony Bellavance, Fire Services Platoon Chief in Toronto, said officials were alerted to a person trapped under the wreckage and crews assisted in extracting the victim. |
"It was a crushing injury that killed the man," he said. | "It was a crushing injury that killed the man," he said. |
Jason Ip, a food vendor, said there was "chaos" as people waited for the emergency services to arrive. | Jason Ip, a food vendor, said there was "chaos" as people waited for the emergency services to arrive. |
"A few people started running towards the stage. No one knew exactly what had happened, but it was clear that people were underneath the stage," he said. | "A few people started running towards the stage. No one knew exactly what had happened, but it was clear that people were underneath the stage," he said. |
"It was like witnessing a car accident. In a situation like that, you just aren't sure how to react." | "It was like witnessing a car accident. In a situation like that, you just aren't sure how to react." |
Around 40,000 people were expected for the sold-out gig, which was also due to feature Canadian musician Caribou. | Around 40,000 people were expected for the sold-out gig, which was also due to feature Canadian musician Caribou. |