18 Jul 2009

Madonna stage accident kills two

9:07 am on 18 July 2009

A second person has died following the collapse of a stage being constructed for a Madonna concert in France.

Charles Prow, 23, from Leeds, died overnight at a hospital in Marseille.

Technicians had been setting up the stage at the city's Velodrome stadium when a partially-built roof fell, bringing down a crane.

Madonna said she was "devastated" by the news. Her concert, planned for Sunday, has been cancelled.

A French worker, Charles Criscenzo, 53, was killed outright in the accident, which occurred at around 5.15pm (1615 BST) on Thursday.

Eight other people were seriously hurt. More than 30 people suffered minor injuries and shock.

The 60,000-seater Velodrome is France's second-biggest sports arena and home to the Olympique de Marseille football club.

Firefighters said the accident occurred when the roof of the stage became unbalanced as it was being lifted by four cranes, toppling one of them.