Fishermen’s Friends band manager dies in accident

A member of the popular shanty singing band Fisherman’s Friends is seriously ill in hospital after an incident at a concert venue where another man died.

The Cornish-based group had been due to perform at the G Live venue in Guildford, Surrey, shortly after 11.45am yesterday, but the gig was called off following the incident.

Police were called to the scene after a report that two men were trapped under a metal door. One of the men suffered serious injuries to his legs, officers confirmed.

He was treated by paramedics but was declared dead at the scene. The other man - an unnamed member of the ten-strong group - was taken by ambulance to St George’s Hospital, Tooting, with serious head injuries.

A spokesman for the band said: “Tragically, a member of the Fisherman’s Friends touring party died yesterday following an accident at the G Live venue in Guildford where the group were due to perform.

“One of the Fisherman’s Friends was also seriously injured in the accident and remains in hospital.”

In a statement Darcus Beese, president of Island Records, the group’s label, said: “Everyone here is shocked by this tragic event, our hopes and prayers go out to the friends and families of those involved.”

The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the death.