There was a stage collapse at the Northeast Music Festival in Toronto today, killing one man and sending another to the hospital. This happened at around 4 pm before sold out Radiohead concert was to begin at 7:30 pm.
Police said a man in his 30s was killed by a “heavy, crushing injury” after stage scaffolding fell just before 4 p.m., trapping him underneath metal debris. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Another man, 45, was taken to Sunnybrook hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Paramedics treated two other male victims for minor injuries at the scene and they were later released. All of the victims were stage workers.
“Unfortunately, four people were hurt,” Toronto police Constable Tony Vella said. “The remainder of the people, when they heard the stage coming (down), ran from the area.”
“Everybody was in place; everything was ready to go,” said Alexandra Halbert, who was working in the beer tent. “We were all just standing there waiting. I think sound check was ready to begin just before the stage collapsed.”
It remains unclear what caused the stage collapse. The weather was dry and sunny. There was a slight breeze, according to witnesses, but nothing seemingly significant enough to cause damage to structures.
The venue and Radiohead announced the cancellation of the concert and advised fans to stay home.
Only 10 months ago, seven died when a storm swept through the fairgrounds of the Indiana State Fair before a Sugarland concert.
Via CNN, Toronto Star
