Entertainment

Singer kills himself after paralysing fan at a festival

A singer killed himself reportedly following fears that he had paralysed a young fan after a crowd-surfing stunt went wrong.

Charles Haddon, 22, the lead singer of Camden band Ou Est Le Swimming Pool, climbed a 60ft satellite mast and jumped to his death after a disastrous performance at the Pukkelpop festival in Belgium on Friday.

Only hours earlier had the singer jumped into the audience during the gig and seriously injured a girl, causing damage to one leg and four vertebrae. A Flemish Cross spokesman said: “She will make a full recovery… but she will need much rest.”

Caan Capan, a member of the band, stated that the crowd were not prepared for Haddon’s dive, as the band were about to walk off stage.

Witness Jens Borms said: “As people were completely surprised by this, they jumped away instead of catching him. Apparently one girl couldn't get away and was severely injured in the back.”

Another eyewitness said: “I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt anyone. The look in his eyes when he stood up and they pulled the girl from the ground was very scary.”

Flemish newspaper De Standaard went on to report that the singer had a “furious argument” with fellow band members after the incident. As the crowd intensified, Haddon was reportedly heard saying: “I hope she pulls through. I hope she will still be able to walk.”

Hours later Jan Van Biesen, a Studio Brussels DJ, discovered his body in the car park below the communications mast.

Haddon’s brother stated: “This is a horrific time for my family. We do not want to talk to anyone.”