People News

One Direction pay tribute to late crew member

Mar 19, 2013, 7:01 GMT

One Direction

One Direction have sent 'thoughts and prayers' to the family of a crew member who died while loading their equipment.

Kevin Benson collapsed and suffered a head injury as he began setting up the 'Little Things' group's stage show at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, North West England on Sunday (17.03.13) and was rushed to the nearby Royal Liverpool Hospital, where he later died.

A spokesperson for the group told the Liverpool Echo newspaper: 'The band, who were at their hotel in Manchester at the time, offer their sincere condolences, and their thoughts and prayers are with Kevin's family at this difficult time.'

A spokesperson for North West Ambulance Service said they were called to the arena's loading bay at around 10.30am and found a man, aged around 45, who had gone into cardiac arrest after collapsing.

A venue representative said: 'We can confirm that a contractor working at Echo Arena Liverpool was taken to hospital on Sunday morning.

'We understand that he subsequently died. Our sincere condolences go to his family at this sad time.'

Meanwhile, One Direction singer Liam Payne's new pet puppy has been the subject of death threats on Twitter.

After the 19-year-old singer - who is in a relationship with dancer Danielle Peazer - posted a picture of little Loki on the social networking website, the couple were deluged with venomous messages.

One read: 'I am outraged and appalled f***ing loki the dog! that dog aint nothing but the scum on my shoe (sic)

'@Real_Liam_Payne @DaniellePeazer the dog is not going to see tomorrow if i can help it.. (sic)'

Another added: 'I'll kill that dog #iswear.(sic)'