Father pays tribute to ‘hard-working family man' who died at Oasis concert

The Guardian

a day ago

The father of a 'lifelong' Oasis fan who fell to his death at the band's concert at Wembley Stadium has said his whole family is devastated.
Lee Claydon, 45, a landscape gardener from Bournemouth, Dorset, died on Saturday after reportedly falling from an upper tier at the stadium.
His father, Clive Claydon, 75, paid tribute to 'a hard-working family man' who 'loved his kid'.
'He was a lovely bloke, loved to be with his family … He had everything going for him. I am so devastated,' he said.
He said that Lee had gone to the concert with his brother and his brother's children, and may have drunk alcohol but had not taken any drugs. Claydon said: 'He doesn't take drugs, he may have had a couple of beers but who hadn't there? People have said horrible things but it was just an accident.'
He added that he was concerned about the safety measures at Wembley. 'All I know is there was beer everywhere, it's slippery, he slipped apparently, we do not know the rest of it.'
A fundraising page, which has been set up to help raise money for Lee's partner, Amanda, and son, Harry, has reached more than £7,000.
Lee's brother Aaron Claydon wrote on the page: 'Our family has been turned upside down and are struggling to deal with this devastation and unexpected loss. Lee was a loving family man who was a role model to his son.'
He described his brother as 'the man I have always looked up to'. He added: 'Lee would have done anything for any of us and he was taken from us far too soon, and we will miss him so very much.'
A spokesperson for Wembley Stadium said: 'Wembley Stadium operates to a very high health and safety standard, fully meeting legal requirements for the safety of spectators and staff, and is certified to and compliant with the ISO 45001 standard.
'We work very closely and collaboratively with all relevant event delivery stakeholders – including event owners, local authorities, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority and the police – to deliver events to high standards of safety, security and service for everyone attending or working in the venue.'
The Health and Safety Executive has been informed.
The Metropolitan police are asking for anyone who witnessed the incident, or has mobile phone footage, to come forward.
Oasis said in a statement on Sunday: 'We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show. Oasis would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved.'