A concertgoer has died a few days ago following Slipknot show ‘Knotfest’ at Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Illinois, after collapsing to ground when he was thrust out of a mosh pit.
Richard Valadez, 62, was moshing with other concertgoers during a Slipknot set in Chicago, when he was knocked to the ground and began seizing up. After an initial delay in any form of medical assistance, Valadez was pronounced dead at 11:34 PM local time, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The cause of death is not yet known and an autopsy is currently pending from a medical examiner. Tinley Park Fire Chief, Forest Reeder, said that his department did not respond to the emergency call due to jurisdictional issues.
“The Fire Department was not present for this incident at the amphitheater as the emergency medical services are provided by a private contractor for any on-site emergencies,” he said.
Concertgoers who witnessed and interacted with Valadez during the event have since offered up some information regarding what exactly happened during the concert.
“Basically everyone was jumping around in the mosh pit having a good time and just being friendly roughhousing dorks, as usual for metal concerts,” said witness Anthony Mackey.
Apparently, when Slipknot began playing ‘Sulfur’ about one hour into their set, Valadez was “hit too hard and fell out of the pit and into the grass,” one report states.
Mackey added, “He seized as people were trying to help him up, so we start calling for help.”
Another witness, Brittany Ruel-Curtis commented, “He seemed fine throughout the concert, though, enjoying the music and drinks and talking to the people who sat in front of me.” But she added that the venue “definitely should have handled things better: More emergency presence for one. And a better way for people to alert that they need help.”
“Over all the whole venue just screwed the pooch on the entire thing,” Mackey offered. “No communication, no preparation, nothing.”
In late July, Corey Taylor stopped one of Slipknot’s performances to handles a mosh pit that got too crazy,
In late July, singer Corey Taylor stopped Slipknot’s performance to handle a mosh pit that got too rough and unruly.
Our condolences go out to the Valadez family at this time.
