A long-time employee of Coachella died this weekend while setting up for the festival. A stagehand for the festival was helping set up the grounds for this weekend's launch of Coachella 2019. The man was reportedly climbing up the stage scaffolding to do some rigging before falling to the ground. The festival worker fell about 60 feet to the ground without any harness, cables or anything that could've saved him.
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Police confirmed a call was made at 9:30 a.m. PT reporting an industrial accident at the Coachella Festival grounds for an individual who fell from the staging area. Police and the fire department responded to the call but the man was already pronounced dead by the time they arrived. Police are still investigating the exact reason for his death.
Goldenvoice, the company that puts on Coachella, issued a statement about the individual who passed away.
"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. He was a hard-working and loving person that cared deeply about his team. As our lead rigger, he was responsible for the countless incredible shows that have been put on at the festival. We will miss him dearly."
Coachella Weekend One goes from April 12-14. Childish Gambino, Ariana Grande, and Tame Impala will headline both weekends.
