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Madonna stage accident kills two | Madonna stage accident kills two |
(8 minutes later) | |
A second person has died following the collapse of a stage being constructed for a Madonna concert in France. | A second person has died following the collapse of a stage being constructed for a Madonna concert in France. |
Charles Prow, a 23-year-old from Headingley in Leeds, died overnight at a hospital in Marseilles. | Charles Prow, a 23-year-old from Headingley in Leeds, died overnight at a hospital in Marseilles. |
Technicians had been setting up the stage at the city's Velodrome stadium when the partially-built roof fell in on Thursday, bringing down a crane. | Technicians had been setting up the stage at the city's Velodrome stadium when the partially-built roof fell in on Thursday, bringing down a crane. |
Madonna said she was "devastated" by the news. Her concert, planned for Sunday, has been cancelled. | Madonna said she was "devastated" by the news. Her concert, planned for Sunday, has been cancelled. |
Charles Criscenzo, a 53-year-old French worker, was killed outright in the accident, which took place at around 1715 (1615 BST). | |
Eight other people were seriously hurt, including an American who was hospitalised in a life-threatening condition. | Eight other people were seriously hurt, including an American who was hospitalised in a life-threatening condition. |
More than 30 people suffered minor injuries and shock, according to authorities. | More than 30 people suffered minor injuries and shock, according to authorities. |
'Shaking and collapsing' | 'Shaking and collapsing' |
The 60,000-seater Velodrome is France's second-biggest sports arena and home to the Olympique de Marseille football club. | The 60,000-seater Velodrome is France's second-biggest sports arena and home to the Olympique de Marseille football club. |
Fire-fighters said the accident occurred when the roof of the stage became unbalanced as it was being lifted by four cranes, toppling one of them. | Fire-fighters said the accident occurred when the roof of the stage became unbalanced as it was being lifted by four cranes, toppling one of them. |
The planned concert was part of Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour | The planned concert was part of Madonna's Sticky and Sweet tour |
About 50 people from a range of nationalities were working to set up the structure, city sports official Richard Miron said. | About 50 people from a range of nationalities were working to set up the structure, city sports official Richard Miron said. |
The roof "started shaking and collapsing" gradually, said Marseilles city councillor Maurice Di Nocera. | The roof "started shaking and collapsing" gradually, said Marseilles city councillor Maurice Di Nocera. |
"Since it did not collapse right away that allowed several people to get out," he said. | "Since it did not collapse right away that allowed several people to get out," he said. |
Madonna, who is performing on her Sticky and Sweet tour, was in Udine, Italy, when she was told of the incident. | Madonna, who is performing on her Sticky and Sweet tour, was in Udine, Italy, when she was told of the incident. |
"I am devastated to have just received this tragic news," she said in a statement released by Live Nation, the organisers of the concert. | "I am devastated to have just received this tragic news," she said in a statement released by Live Nation, the organisers of the concert. |
"My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families, along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news." | "My prayers go out to those who were injured and their families, along with my deepest sympathy to all those affected by this heartbreaking news." |
Mr Prow's family have contacted the BBC, saying he was "a much-loved son, grandson, brother, uncle and friend". | Mr Prow's family have contacted the BBC, saying he was "a much-loved son, grandson, brother, uncle and friend". |
'Great tragedy' | 'Great tragedy' |
"Charles was a happy-go-lucky guy with a big personality and he will be deeply missed," said a representative. | "Charles was a happy-go-lucky guy with a big personality and he will be deeply missed," said a representative. |
Footage posted online shows Madonna making an emotional tribute to the technicians at her concert in Italy on Thursday. | Footage posted online shows Madonna making an emotional tribute to the technicians at her concert in Italy on Thursday. |
"I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and pay tribute to two people who lost their lives today," she told fans at the Fruili Stadium in Udine. | "I just wanted to take a moment to acknowledge and pay tribute to two people who lost their lives today," she told fans at the Fruili Stadium in Udine. |
"It's a great tragedy to me," she continued, choking back tears. "I feel so devastated to be in any way associated with anyone's suffering. | "It's a great tragedy to me," she continued, choking back tears. "I feel so devastated to be in any way associated with anyone's suffering. |
"Let's all just take a moment to say a prayer for Charles Criscenzo and Charlie Prow. Our hearts go out to their family and loved ones." | "Let's all just take a moment to say a prayer for Charles Criscenzo and Charlie Prow. Our hearts go out to their family and loved ones." |