A drum tech for the alternative rock band band Radiohead was killed Saturday when the stage collapsed. The victim, identified as Scott Johnson, 33, was on the stage when the accident occurred. A drum tech is responsible for for the band’s drums and other percussion equipment.
The stage collapse, happening in a Toronto park, happened around 4pm, a full hour before fans were expected to arrive to the show. Several people were on the stage preparing for the show when overhanging metalwork crashed onto the stage. Several other crew members were observed fleeing from the stage area.
The band has released a statement saying, “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.”
Johnson had also worked since 2004 for British alternative band Keane, who released a statement on their website on Monday, saying: “He was the cheerful, dependable guy you could always turn to, who lifted the spirits of everyone around him. We can’t believe he’s gone.”
The scheduled show was cancelled as a result of the incident with tour promoters saying the incident was a “serious and tragic accident” and that the investigation is ongoing.
