Scott Johnson, 33, drum technician for the band Radiohead, was the victim of a stage collapse that injured three others and forced the
band to cancel the last show of their North American tour on Saturday.
Around 4 p.m., an hour before gates were set to open, the roof of an outdoor stage set up in Toronto’s Downsview Park gave way. The band’s equipment was on stage and technicians were setting up for the show when the incident occurred.
Fans already in the vicinity of the stage tweeted reactions and pictures; soon after, Radiohead’s official Twitter page issued a warning that the show was canceled and that fans should “not to make their way to the venue”.
Yesterday a brief statement by the band was released on their website. “We have all been shattered by the loss of Scott Johnson, our friend and colleague,” wrote drummer Philip Selway. “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.”
The cause of the collapse remains undetermined. There was no bad weather or storm in the Toronto area at the time of the collapse, police Constable Harrison Ford told CNN.
This is the first major festival incident of 2012; the summer of 2011 was marked by a string of incidents at outdoor festivals and concerts that have caused many to rethink what constitute necessary regulations and precautions.
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