Will Young 'shocked' at concert crew man's fall death

A concert by Will Young went ahead at the castle after the crew member fell backstage

Pop singer Will Young has said he is "shocked and saddened" after a stage hand died following a fall backstage at an open-air concert in Kent.

The man, who was in his 40s, suffered severe facial and head injuries in the fall at Rochester Castle on Thursday.

He was taken to the Medway Maritime Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The police and the health and safety executive allowed the show to continue and police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

'Deepest sympathy'

"I am shocked and so saddened by last night's tragic accident before the Rochester show," said Will Young, who won the Pop Idol TV talent contest in 2002.

"I was unaware of the seriousness of the incident until after I left the stage.

"My deepest sympathy goes out to the bereaved family."

An investigation into the death is under way and a post-mortem examination is due to take place next week.

Police said the death was "not thought to be in relation to any health and safety issues".

'Cardiac arrest'

The man has not yet been named.

A cordon was placed around the scene to allow officers to carry out an investigation.

A South East Coast Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We got called to Rochester Castle at 1741 to a report of a man in his 40s who had apparently fallen off the stage and had severe facial and head injuries and severe bleeding.

"We were on the scene within six minutes. The patient was going into cardiac arrest and he was conveyed to the Medway Maritime Hospital."

Before the show started, an appeal was made over the public address system asking for witnesses who may have seen anything to come forward.