A massive stage collapse hours before a Radiohead concert was to
begin Saturday left one person dead and three others injured, officials
said.
Emergency Medical Services deputy commander David
Viljakainen said a man who was trapped under the rubble was pronounced
dead at the scene. Officials said he was in his mid-30s.
A
45-year-old man was hospitalized with a head injury and two others were
treated at the scene for minor injuries at the Downsview Park venue,
said Viljakainen.
The venue said on its website that the sold-out concert was canceled.
Fire
Services Platoon Chief Tony Bellavance said officials were alerted to a
person trapped under the rubble and crews assisted in extracting the
victim. "It was a crushing injury that killed the man," he said.
Police spokesman Tony Vella said crew were setting up the stage when it collapsed.
"They
were setting up when the top portion collapsed on top of them.
Unfortunately, four people were hurt. The remainder of the people, when
they heard the stage coming down, ran from the area," Vella said.
Dusty
Lalas, an employee with Toronto Radio Station "The Edge," which was
sponsoring the concert, said the structure suddenly caved in.