Radiohead Cancel Toronto Concert After Fatal Stage Collapse
June 17, 2012
Radiohead
Before Radiohead's concert last night (6/16), the stage at Toronto's Downsview Park collapsed, killing one crew member and injuring three others. According to the Toronto Star, around 4 p.m., the back scaffolding of the stage twisted and snapped, following by the white canopy falling down. The concert itself was canceled immediately, with the band tweeting out the message, "Due to unforeseen circumstances tonight's at Downsview Park tonight has been canceled. Fans are advised not to make their way to the venue."
The victim of the stage collapse was later identified as Scott Johnson, a 33-year-old drum tech for the band. Johnson had also worked as a crew member for Keane, according to reports. Out of the three injured men, two were treated and released with minor injuries while the third was taken to the hospital with a serious head injury. The identities of the other three men have not been revealed yet, but they were all members of Radiohead's tour crew who were setting up the stage, according to the police. As of Sunday morning, it was still unknown what caused the stage to fall down.
Live Nation instantly offered full refunds to concertgoers. Across town, The Flaming Lips were performing and frontman Wayne Coyne offered his support to those affected by the collapse. The Lips also played their cover of Radiohead's "Knives Out" in tribute.
Saturday's incident is the latest in a series of high-profile, outdoor stage collapses in recent years, most notably the Sugarland concert at the Indiana Stage Fair last August. Last year, three people were injured when the state collapsed at a Cheap Trick concert in Ottawa.
The Toronto date was the last stop of Radiohead's 2012 North American tour. Saturday also marked the 15th anniversary of the UK release of their landmark album OK Computer. Their next leg of touring is slated to begin June 30 in Rome.