Brit Victim Of Radiohead Stage Collapse Named

A man killed when a stage collapsed before a Radiohead concert in Toronto has been named as British drum technician Scott Johnson.

The Foreign Office confirmed the 33-year-old from South Yorkshire died during preparations for the gig at the city's Downsview Park. His family has been told.

Canadian officials said it was a "crushing injury" that killed Mr Johnson.

Police spokesman Tony Vella said on Saturday: "Crew were setting up when the top portion collapsed on top of them."

Dusty Lalas, an employee with Toronto Radio Station The Edge, which was sponsoring the concert, said the structure suddenly caved in.

"There was a loud crash and it sounded like sheet metal and lightning and we just saw the stage collapse."

Onlooker Jaime Rivest, 33, said: "It was like a tornado hit the stage and in just moments the stage came down with metal everywhere."

A 45-year-old man was taken to hospital with a head injury and two others were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

Within minutes of news spreading the hashtag #radiohead was the top trending topic on Twitter.

In one picture posted by Jason Ip, a huge collapsed scaffolding could be seen.

Along with the picture Mr Ip tweeted: "Radiohead stage collapse. People were underneath and we're getting sent away from the site."

Fellow musicians also paid tribute to Mr Johnson on Twitter.

Jack Lawrence Brown, drummer with White Lies, wrote: "Scott worked with White Lies on a show earlier in the year as my drum tech.

"A very talented man and a lovely guy all round. Glad to have known him. A big loss."

Geoff Barrow, instrumentalist with Bristol band Portishead, tweeted: "My thoughts and condolences are with everyone involved."

Tim Burgess, lead singer in The Charlatans, wrote that the band's thoughts were with Mr Johnson's family.

Radiohead, who are from Oxfordshire, said the 40,000 tickets for the sell-out performance would be refunded.