Squeeze canceled their Virginia concert Thursday after a worker was crushed to death beneath a tour bus at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.
U.S. Park Police responded to the Vienna, Virginia, venue at 5 p.m., roughly two and a half hours before the English rock band was scheduled to take the stage at 7:30 p.m., according to authorities. The worker had been underneath the bus when a supporting apparatus failed and the vehicle came down on him.
The venue announced the cancellation in a social media post. “There was an accident involving a member of the community at Wolf Trap National Park,” the venue wrote. “Out of respect, tonight’s show has been canceled.”
Squeeze issued their own statement on the tragedy. “Squeeze are deeply saddened and shocked by an incident that occurred at the venue earlier today, which resulted in the loss of a life,” the band said in a statement.
The group addressed the possibility of making up the date. “We will work with the promoter and venue regarding the possibility of rescheduling the show and will communicate further information to ticket holders as soon as it is available,” they continued. “Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by this tragic event.”
Park Police have not released the worker’s identity.
Fans who had gathered for the show reacted with shock and grief. Some left the grounds immediately upon hearing the news, while others remained in the parking lot, unsettled by the death.
Debbie Daniel, a fan on the scene, described the emergency response to FOX 5 DC. “It was horrible when we found out that happened,” she said. “We saw the emergency vehicles come in, figured something serious had happened because there was like 15 or more vehicles. But, yeah, it was very tragic.”
Eric Anderson, another attendee, spoke about the decision to call off the performance. “Especially from what we’re starting to understand about the circumstances, the show can’t go on. And we understand that,” he said.
The fatal accident occurred in a parking lot near the performance space, with the worker pinned under the tour bus by the time officers arrived. The supporting equipment that failed had been holding the bus aloft.
Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is a federally operated outdoor venue located about 15 miles west of Washington, D.C., and regularly hosts major touring acts during its summer season.
Squeeze, the new wave group formed in London in 1974, has continued touring extensively in recent years with founding members Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford leading the lineup.
Park Police are investigating the circumstances of the equipment failure.