There was a terrible tragedy in Radiohead’s world on Saturday afternoon: the stage set up for their Toronto show at Downsview Park suddenly collapsed, killing 33-year-old Scott Johnson, Radiohead’s drum technician. Three other people were also seriously injured and it was just terrible news for the band, which released this statement through drummer Phil Selway:
‘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’.
At the moment, the site remains under investigation, the show has of course been cancelled. The stage collapsed an hour before the gates opened to the public, and just imagine what could have happened, as 40,000 people were expected to attend the sold-out concert, and the band may have been seriously injured?
Spokeman of Ontario Ministry of Labor said that the investigation was complex and that it could take some time to find out what happened, and interestingly enough, Toronto Police spokeman Tony Vella said that criminal charges could result but that it was too early in the investigation.
It’s not the first time it has happened, remember about this other accident at a Sugarland concert in Indianapolis last August? Six people died,… five other people died in Belgium because a storm toppled the stage at the Pukkelpop Festival, another person died at Bluesfest last July in Canada, when the stage went down, and I am sure there were other examples in the past.
Going to a concert is a joyous experience, which can turn into some tragedy. These accidents are rare but they happen, the list above just proves it. Still, when I go to these mega concerts, I never think I am taking a risk.