Radiohead Stage in Toronto Collapses – Show Cancelled

The stage at Downsview Park in Toronto, Canada has collapsed, where Radiohead were set to perform tonight.
The stage at Downsview Theatre has collapsed at around 4pm. As @Zakea Tweets: “Stage collapsed at #downsview for #Radiohead So scary. So many ambulances.” See @Zakea‘s picture above.

People were not on the site when the accident happened. Doors were going to open an hour later at 5pm for the sold out show. The show has been cancelled soon after. Early reports said three people were injured, one in critical condition. Shortly after one person was pronounced dead. Another was taken to Sunnybrook Hospital in serious condition and the two others were treated for minor injuries and are released. It’s uncertain how the tragedy took place. The police are investigating at the moment. Weather conditions were good. There was only a calm wind at the park at the time. Video of the damaged stage below.

A police statement issued on Twitter said one man in his 30s was pronounced dead at the scene and a 45-year-old man was taken to a local hospital with a non-life-threatening head injury. It said two other males were treated on the scene for less serious injuries. Burrows said investigators were still unsure what caused the mishap, which was under investigation by the Ontario Ministry of Labor and the Toronto police.

Scott Johnson

UPDATE: Reports on social media name Scott Johnson as the one who did not survive the stage collapse. Scott Johnson was Radiohead’s drum tech. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, band and crew.

More on Scott Johnson here, including an interview with Scott and people close to him respond to his death, including Phil Selway.

Toronto police spokesman Sergeant Tim Burrows told Reuters that about 20 people were in the direct vicinity of the stage, conducting rehearsals and sound checks, when it gave way.

“The roof part of the stage collapsed,” Toronto Fire Services spokesman Captain Mike Strapko told Reuters. “It’s like an arch made out of round piping similar to what they use for scaffolding,” he said, adding that the structure was rigged with lighting and other equipment. “So that’s what came down and did crush the one individual.”

Dan Snaith of Caribou, who were going to open for Radiohead, tweeted: “We are profoundly saddened by what happened today. All our sympathy is with the band and crew and the families of those affected.”

At this point, it’s not clear if the band are going to reschedule the show, which was only one of the two Canadian shows of their World Tour. The band played the other Canadian show in Montreal the night before.
For now the 40,000 people can get a refund at point of sale.

Radiohead have issued the following message: “Due to unforeseen circumstances the radiohead show at downsview park tonight has been cancelled.Fans are advised not to make their way to the venue. Refunds will be made at point of purchase. Further information is to follow.”

This is the second time Radiohead have to cancel a show in Toronto. The last time was in 2003 due to a power outage when Radiohead were scheduled to play at Molson Amphitheater. At the rescheduled show at Toronto’s Skydome, which was also the last show of their North American tour, Thom Yorke stopped in the middle of Myxomatosis when a fan passed out. The band quickly resumed.

The 2003 show was rescheduled two months after. This time it might be harder. Radiohead are in the middle of their World Tour. The band move to Europe next, starting with a show in Rome on June 30th. At the moment, the band have no shows planned for August and September.

Purchasers of beer/drink tickets from the Radiohead concert can obtain refunds by bringing or mailing their beer/drink tickets to Downsview Park’s head office. More info here.