Fan Impaled, Dies At Chevelle Concert, Group Pays Respect, Some Fans Demand Refund
After a fan was impaled at a Chevelle concert in Chicago on Friday, those who knew him described him as a beloved friend and family man. Kyle Kirchoff died in a grisly accident when he plunged from a catwalk at the Aragon Ballroom. Meanwhile, some fans in attendance caused a stir on social media after the impalement death by requesting refunds, citing a Toronto Sun report.
Kirchoff, 24, apparently lost his footing and fell onto two metal rods below the suspended walk. He suffered puncture wounds to his chest area from being impaled. The fan was rushed to Weiss Memorial Hospital for emergency care, but according to a Cook County Medial Examiner spokesperson, the northwest suburban man died a short time later.
Fans Dies After Fall During Chicago Rock Concert http://t.co/lWSS2dY2QM #News
— Escena Rock (@Escenarockfm) May 25, 2015
Man falls, is impaled at metal concert in Chicago: A 24-year-old man died after plunging from a catwalk at a C… http://t.co/sset0dmI2B
— STEPHAN Feat. (@StephanFeat) May 25, 2015
Although the fan suffered serious injuries from being impaled, a formal cause of death has not been released. An autopsy report with toxicology results are pending. After the tragedy, the alternative metal group issued a statement of condolences in wake of the fan’s death.
“To our fans, as you may or may not have heard, an extremely unfortunate event occurred at our show in Chicago Friday night. We were asked by police to stop our set so that the authorities could tend to an injured fan. Once the severity of the accident was determined the authorities cleared out the venue to give them time to investigate…”
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Chevelle fan Kyle Kirchhoff and at this time we ask that you all keep Kyle and his family in your thoughts and prayers.”
In wake of the tragic impalement of the fan, the concert was stopped by police in order to tend to the victim and preserve evidence for an investigation. Reportedly, some fans who attended the concert are demanding refunds for the costs of their tickets. Several people took to Chevelle’s Musician/Fan page on Facebook and expressed their outrage over the requests. Most of the comments are directed at a user named Garrett.
“Extremely disappointed in some ‘fans’ that demand money back. UN REAL. Well wishings and prayers with his family.”
“And people were crying for their money back because they didn’t do an encore. Good job America, we’ve hit sub human level of low.”
“Wow. Just wow. There are such selfish people out there. ‘Who cares if someone died. He’s not going anywhere. Finish the set.’ There’s no respect anymore.”
“Garrett ****der if $50 is so damn important to you. That you have to be a heartless DBag when it comes to the loss of a life then maybe you should find a new job or not spend money on a concert. Because if your $50 is more important then another life you got some serious problems.”
The Inquisitr reported a similar story in March. Then, like the fan impaled at the Chevelle venue, a Los Angeles man died in March when he fell from a tree onto a fence. It is suspected the victim was intoxicated at the time of the deadly fall.
[Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images]
