Fisherman's Friends singer Trevor Grills dies after G Live accident

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2013/feb/12/fishermans-friends-trevor-grills-dies

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A second man has died after an incident at the G Live theatre venue in Guildford, Surrey, at the weekend.

Trevor Grills, a singer with the shanty group Fisherman's Friends, died on Monday night. He became trapped under a metal door at the concert venue on Saturday morning, in an accident that also killed the manager of the group.

The band confirmed the news on their Facebook page: "The Fisherman's Friends announce with great sadness that their friend and fellow band member Trevor Grills passed away last night as a result of severe head injuries inflicted during an accident on Saturday 9 February." A spokesman added: "We are all devastated."

Tearful members of the 10-piece group gathered after the death was announced to thank fans for their support.

Darcus Beese, the president of Island Records, the group's label, added in a statement: "We are all deeply saddened at losing Trevor. The Fisherman's Friends are exactly that, life-long partners in all they do and our thoughts and prayers go out to them and Trevor's family and friends.

"Trevor was a much loved and valued friend to all of us and was an integral part of the Port Isaac community. He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with Trevor's family at this very difficult time."

Grills, 54, died at St George's hospital in Tooting, south London, after suffering serious head injuries. Paul McMullen, manager of the Cornwall-based 10-piece, was pronounced dead at the theatre venue on Saturday.

Police were called to the venue shortly before midday on Saturday after a report that two men were trapped under a metal door in the loading bay. McMullen, believed to be a father and husband from Stockport, was treated by paramedics but declared dead at the scene.

The band were due to perform that night as part of a tour, which has subsequently been cancelled. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the death, Surrey police said. The venue has since reopened.

Fans paid tribute to Grills, one of the younger members of Fisherman's Friends, who often took the lead in some of the more melancholic numbers. All the band members, who have performed in Port Isaac for more than 15 years, are, or were, fishermen, coastguards or lifeboatmen.

Fans flooded its Facebook page with tributes after the announcement of Grills' death. One, Sarah Lee, wrote: "Words seem pointless, but apart from sending you all love there's not much else we can offer. Know that you are in our hearts at this terribly sad time."

Another, Charlie Mason, added: "Such sad news – we saw you all in Cheltenham on Thursday, and loved it – Trevor bought joy to people – a gift few of us have. We've lost someone special."

The band were discovered singing on the quayside in Port Isaac, a tradition they have continued despite achieving commercial success. They reached the top 10 in the UK charts in 2010, and played to an audience of thousands at Glastonbury's main pyramid stage in 2011.

Fans have been speculating over the future of the group. Charlie Berman wrote on Facebook: "Loss is something that fishing communities have long had to face. But this is little solace at this moment. Thoughts with family and friends. You must keep the music alive for him."

Another fan, Kev Yates, wrote: "[B]eing Cornish and knowing how tight a community Port Isaac is, I know the whole village must be in shock … but please, please keep singing even louder now for Paul and Trevor. I am sure they would have wanted that."

Asked whether the Fisherman's Friends' would continue as a band, a management spokesman said: "It's probably a thought that has not occurred to them yet."