Story highlights
NEW: Radiohead says the band is "shattered" by the loss
Drum tech Scott Johnson was killed, a Radiohead representative says
Scaffold-like structure collapsed about an hour before gates were to open
The sold-out show in a Toronto park was canceled
A drum technician for the band Radiohead died when overhanging metalwork crashed onto a stage in a Toronto park, the band’s representative confirmed Sunday.
The incident occurred about 4 p.m. Saturday, an hour before spectators were set to begin arriving for the concert by Radiohead, an alternative rock group.
Several people were on the stage at the time, preparing for the show, when the scaffold-like structure collapsed from about 50 feet overhead, sending crew members fleeing.
Authorities said Saturday that one man was pinned and killed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Sunday, the representative identified the man as Scott Johnson, a drum tech for the band. Drum techs are responsible for a band’s drums and other percussion equipment.
Radiohead issued a statement Sunday saying the band is “shattered” by Johnson’s loss.
“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,” the statement said.
Another man who suffered serious injuries was taken to a Toronto hospital, but authorities said Saturday that his head injury was not life-threatening. Two other men with minor injuries were assessed and released.
Authorities were investigating how the collapse occurred. The sold-out Radiohead show was canceled, with production company Live Nation Entertainment citing “unforeseen circumstances.”
The Toronto incident comes 10 months after metal scaffolding supporting stage lights fell onto a crowd of fans and workers as a storm swept through the Indiana State Fair right before the band Sugarland was to perform.
Band not responsible, Sugarland singer says
Seven died and more than 40 were injured. In February, the Indiana Department of Labor announced penalties totaling $80,800 following a worker safety investigation into the collapse.
There was no bad weather or storm in the Toronto area at the time of the collapse, police Constable Harrison Ford said.
CNN’s Denise Quan contributed to this report.