Bring Me The Horizon have responded to reports that a fan died at their Alexandra Palace show, saying they were “horrified” at the news. The venue have also denied inadequate security staffing.
The Sheffield band were playing the second of their two sold-out shows on November 30, when the the London Ambulance Service were called to the north London venue. The young man was pronounced dead at the scene. An official cause of death remains unknown.
BMTH posted a short statement to social media, the tweet read: “Words cannot express how horrified we are feeling this evening after hearing about the death of a young man at our show last night.
“Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones at this terrible time. We will comment further in due course.”
Words cannot express how horrified we are feeling this evening after hearing about the death of a young man at our show last night. Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to his family and loved ones at this terrible time. We will comment further in due course.
— Bring Me The Horizon (@bmthofficial) December 1, 2018
Alexandra Palace also posted a statement on Twitter about a “medical incident” at the venue and sent their condolences to the young man’s family. The venue also denied that the incident was related to a lack of security staff.
“We would like to clarify that this was a tragic medical incident and unrelated to the extensive security measures in place,” a spokesperson posted. “However, we feel we must address inaccurate information. There were over 150 security personnel on site for the concert.”
A medical incident occurred at last night’s Bring Me The Horizon concert. Our thoughts and condolences are with the individual's family and we would like to express our deepest sympathy to them. We hope you can appreciate we cannot provide any further comment at this time.
— Alexandra Palace (@Yourallypally) December 1, 2018
Following the above statement, we would like to clarify that this was a tragic medical incident and unrelated to the extensive security measures in place. However, we feel we must address inaccurate information. There were over 150 security personnel on site for the concert.
— Alexandra Palace (@Yourallypally) December 2, 2018
The band and many fans attending the show were unaware of the incident at the time. Initial reports wrongly claimed that two people had died in the mosh pit while unconfirmed reports claim that the young man died of a heart attack.
One fan wrote: “I just don’t understand how were we in the same room at the same time and so many people, my friends and I included, didn’t know what was happening. There was a dying person and 50% of us didn’t even notice.”
I just don't understand how were we in the same room at the same time and so many people, my friends and I included, didn't know what was happening. There was a dying person and 50% of us didn't even notice.
— Kris?? (@KristiB02) December 1, 2018
However, other people attending the gig pointed towards a lack of adequate security on the night.
exactly my point. 9 security guards is absolutely absurd. ally pally should have had at LEAST 200 guards (and in various places, too…the 9 were only at barricade). not saying it would have saved ali's life, that can't be determined, but adequate security was not provided.
— ryan (@sunkingroyale) December 2, 2018
Fans who had been in the mosh pit also paid tribute to the friendly nature of the crowd.
Even with this terrible tragedy that has happened, I will say that the pits at these shows wasn’t extremely violent or anything like that, I was at both London shows and I found everyone to be respectful and everyone would pick people up if they went down.
— Jamie (@JamieHibbert1) December 2, 2018
I was in this pit, everybody was helping each other out as they always do but there were people getting trampled (me included) and there were big pile ups. It’s unavoidable I guess.
— NOAHFINNCE (20) (@noahfinnadams) December 2, 2018
A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 9.48pm on Friday (November 30) to reports of a person unwell at Alexandra Palace in north London.
“We sent an ambulance crew, a paramedic in a fast response car, an advanced paramedic and our hazardous area response team to the scene. Our first medic arrived in less than three minutes.
“Sadly the patient died at the scene.”