Coachella Suffers a Tragedy

Longtime lead rigger dies in a fall from a roof while setting up for the festival
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Apr 7, 2019 5:32 AM CDT
Worker Dies in Fall at Coachella
The sun sets over the Coachella Music & Arts Festival at the Empire Polo Club on Saturday, April 21, 2018, in Indio, Calif.   (Photo by Amy Harris/Invision/AP)

A Coachella worker has died while setting up for the music and arts festival in the Southern California desert. Goldenvoice, which puts on Coachella in Indio each year, said in a statement the man was a lead rigger who died in a fall while working on a stage on festival grounds at the Empire Polo Club. The statement said all at Coachella are "grieving this loss," reports the AP.

"He has been with our team for 20 years in the desert and was doing what he loved," the statement added, per CNN. "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." The six-day festival, spread over two long weekends, is scheduled to begin Friday. Ariana Grande, Childish Gambino, and Janelle Monae are among numerous acts to take to the Coachella stages this year.

(More Coachella stories.)

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