June 20, 2012 13:13

Radiohead-run tour company under investigation after stage collapse

Four companies, include the band's Ticker Tape Touring, asked to comply with investigation after Saturday's tragedy

Photo Gallery: Radiohead

Four companies, including one run by the members of Radiohead, have been asked to comply with an investigation by the Canadian government into the stage collapse which led to the death of the band's drum technician on Saturday (June 16).

Ticker Tape Touring LLP, which lists Johnny Greenwood, Philip Selway, Colin Greenwood, Ed O'Brien and Thom Yorke as board members has been identified by the Canadian Ministry of Labour as one of at least four companies involved in the collapse, the Toronto Star reports.
Toronto-based Optex Staging and Services, Nasco Staffing Solutions and concert promoter Live Nation have all been asked to comply with the investigation into the tragedy at Downsview Park in Toronto.

Canadian Ministry of Labour spokesperson Matt Blajer said that it had issued orders "mainly to Live Nation", adding that stage blueprints which were signed and approved by an engineer have already been submitted for investigation. Blajer added that the number of companies operating on the site has posed a challenge to investigators:

We're still trying to figure out who owns what, who’s responsible for what," Blajer said. "You've got lighting technicians, sound technicians, the band's people — we're trying to figure out who worked for whom.

Drum technician Scott Johnson was killed in the incident on Saturday after a stage collapsed an hour before the Radiohead gig was due to start. Three other people were injured.

The stage collapsed an hour before the gates opened to the public and queues were already forming outside the 40,000 capacity venue. Emergency crews were quick on the scene and the area was evacuated. The victims were all part of the team setting up equipment.

Both Radiohead and Keane, with whom Johnson also worked, have paid tribute to him.

The world's greatest music magazine is now available as a digital edition! For exclusive content you won't find on NME.COM, download here on your iPad/iPhone and here on your Kindle Fire or Nook.

Share on Facebook