A Tool fan has likely been seriously injured after falling from the upper level of Smoothie King Center arena while the band performed in New Orleans on Sunday.
Tool were reportedly playing an encore when a man fell or jumped from the 300 level – the highest level of the arena – and crashed onto the floor below, according to the New Orleans Advocate.
“We can confirm that a patron fell,” says Smoothie King Center event marketing and media coordinator Sabrina Trahan. “An investigation is ongoing.”
Freelance journalist Wesley Hodges saw the fall, and left soon afterwards. “It was scary,” Hodges says. “I caught it out of the corner of my eye. I saw a body coming down and heard a really loud crash. I saw him lying on the ground. There was chaos after that. People were screaming.” The band apparently remained unaware of the incident and finished their set.
Tool had been playing a successful run of shows supported by Primus and 3 Teeth. Notable on the tour was their performance of ‘Sweat’ – from their debut 1992 EP Opiate – for the first time in 18 years (below).
Watch: Tool perform ‘Sweat’ in San Fransisco:
