Probe into death at Linkin Park concert

2012-11-08 11:01

Cape Town - An investigation has been launched into the events leading to a woman's death when a structure collapsed ahead of a concert by American band Linkin Park at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday.

The City of Cape Town said the site had been secured for a police investigation. The City and event organisers, Big Concerts, will co-operate with the investigation.

City of Cape Town spokesperson Kylie Hatton said the City would also conduct its own investigation.

19 injured

The woman died of the injuries she sustained when temporary scaffolding collapsed in high winds ahead of the concert. She was thought to have died after being taken to the nearby Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital.

Nineteen people were injured in the incident. Twelve of them had to be hospitalised.

The temporary structure was a "branding activation" and was located next to the stadium forecourt on the Cape Town CBD side of the venue.

The structure had been pre-approved and certified as safe before the event.

Hatton said the investigation would include whether the approval procedures had been properly done.

She said she did not have permission yet from the woman's family to release her name.

Condolences

Big Concerts, the organiser of the show, posted a message on its Facebook page expressing its "deepest sympathies and condolences" to the injured and to the woman who died.

"We would like to thank the City of Cape Town, the SA Police Services, and all the medics, doctors, and disaster risk personnel for their swift and professional response to this accident."

Linkin Park also conveyed its condolences to the family of the woman who died, saying in a statement on its website that it also distanced itself from the "sponsor or entity" which erected the structure.

"Following our performance... at Cape Town Stadium, we were advised that several people were injured as a result of the collapse of an advertising tower erected by Lucozade in the parking area outside the venue," the band said in its statement on the "LP Blog".

"We wish to express our deep sadness and concern for those injured and our heartfelt condolences to the family of the fan who died as a result of her injuries.

"Though we have had no relationship with the sponsor or the entity responsible for erecting the structure, we take the safety of our fans very seriously and our thoughts are with all of those who were affected by this tragedy."

The band is scheduled to perform in Johannesburg on November 10.

- SAPA