A worker setting up for next weekend’s start of the Coachella festival died tragically on Saturday. The stagehand was helping to assemble one of the many stages at the venue site and fell about 60 feet from some scaffolding.
Eyewitnesses on the ground said the guy was climbing the scaffolding to do some rigging and was not attached to the required safety harness that is supposed to be attached to a cable to prevent him from falling.
Goldenvoice, the promoters of the festival have released a statement about the tragic death.
“Today, Goldenvoice lost a colleague, a friend, a family member. Our friend fell while working on a festival stage. It is with heavy hearts and tremendous difficulty that we confirm his passing. He has been with our team for 20 years in the desert and was doing what he loved.”
According to TMZ, a spokesperson from the Indio Police confirmed that a call was placed around 9:30 am Saturday morning by someone reporting that an accident at the concert grounds. By the time emergency service units arrived the man was pronounced dead on the scene.
The Indio Police department has launched a full investigation. The Coachella Music Festival is set to start as planned, next Friday.
