Pics and video of the stage collapse from the Madonna “Sticky and Sweet” tour in Marseille, France where the roof fell while being lifted in place by a crane, killing 2 roadies and injuring eight.
Madonna stage collapse
Madonna’s roadies Charles Prow, 32, of England and Frenchman Charles Criscenzo, 53, were killed after the crane rigging collapsed at the Velodrome stadium in the southern French city of Marseille.
Madonna stage just before collapse
At least eight others were injured in the Madonna stage collapse as the stage was being completed, including an American employee of Live Nation who is in critical condition.
Madonna stage roof on ground
Four men had multiple injuries, including fractures, and three were lightly injured by falling rubble. Some 39 others were suffering from shock and needed treatment for trauma.
The dead men are believed to have been hit by heavy banks of lights that were to be suspended above the temporary stage.
Rescuers search for bodies
Police have already launched a criminal inquiry into the accident. Jascques Dallest, the Marseille Prosecutor, confirmed that criminal charges could include those of manslaughter and involuntary injuries.
A source close to the investigation said one of four cranes being used to put the roof in place “appeared to be faulty.”
Madonna, 50, was due to perform to a sell-out crowd in Marseille on Sunday. The concert has been cancelled.
Jean-Claude Gaudin, the mayor of Marseille, said “all of the victims were working for Live Nation, which was organising Madonna’s concert. Of course Sunday’s concert will not now go ahead.”
Before the stage disaster struck, the cranes had been lifting the roof into place, but it became unbalanced and collapsed, knocking at least one of the other cranes over.
Around 50 technicians had been working on the structure at the time.
Madonna Crying About Stagehand’s Deaths:
Video of Madonna onstage last night crying while talking about the horrific accident.
And that’s the latest news about the Madonna stage collapse.
Tags: death, madonna, madonna accident, madonna stage collapse
July 17th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
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July 18th, 2009 at 7:19 am
I find it hard to believe that the just before collapse picture is correct. I have never seen people lift roofs to their trim position while massive trusses of moving lights and speaker clusters are also at trim.
I do this for a living and this doesn’t happen. These trusses and clusters weigh tonnes each. Yeah, sure you might pre-rig the chain motors but you don’t pre fly the rig. That is insane.
If that is what was being done then I am not so surprised that an accident happened.
Please check your story. I just don’t believe the image sequence is correct. That should be what the flown rig looks like after the cranes are done raising the roof and it is locked off and secure.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Another “sacrifice” for fame for the “elite queen of Bablyon”
Teas for fears.
August 20th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I meant TEARS for fears. Sorry. Athough she is a tease, huh ?