Richard Turner, trumpet player for popular UK indie dance crew Friendly Fires has died aged just 27. It is believed he died of a heart attack while swimming in a South London pool. Upon going in to cardiac arrest, lifeguards and paramedics rushed to Turner’s aid, however he later died in Kings College Hospital.
Turner had been a touring member of the band for three years, in addition to playing in his own jazz band band Round Trip. Friendly Fires posted a tribute on their website, which reads “On Friday we learnt of the sudden passing of Richard Turner. Rich played trumpet in our live gigs on and off for three years. He was an utterly exceptional musician and his contributions to our shows will be hugely missed. He was also an accomplished and admired composer.”
Although there were no suspicious circumstances to his death, friends and family were in shock that someone in such peak physical condition could die at such a young age. His best friend, Eddy Hackett, told the London Evening Standard “Richard is a very strong swimmer and the lifeguards could see something was wrong. They immediately pulled him out of the water and did their best to save his life. Three ambulances arrived within four minutes and they did everything they could.”
Turner, who also ran a well known jazz night at a club in Camden, North London was held in high esteem by the jazz world, with Nick Smart, Head of Jazz at the Royal Academy, saying “A hugely talented musician and much-loved personality has been taken from the jazz community and our condolences go out to his family and friends.”
