Six people were injured Saturday night during the load-out following Ed Sheeran’s concert at Ford Field in Detroit, when stage equipment reportedly lost control as crews dismantled the stage.
Photos provided to Local 4 show the accident near the stadium’s vehicle tunnel. One worker who was struck by the equipment was released from the hospital Sunday after spending the night there. He asked to remain anonymous, while another worker inside the building shared photos showing the aftermath.
Workers injured during Ford Field stage teardown
Fire dispatch audio captured crews being sent to the scene at about 11 p.m. Saturday.
“Chief 1, respond to a special,” fire dispatch audio from Saturday night says.
Local 4 was told the equipment shown in the photos lost control while the stage was being dismantled near the vehicle tunnel.
“2000 Brush, between East Adams and East Montcalm for a forklift injury accident,” the audio said.
Several workers said they were walking toward another part of the stadium to take a break during their shift when the incident occurred. They said they were near a ramp when the equipment lost control and struck multiple people.
One worker who was hit in the chest told Local 4 that he had never experienced anything like it, describing the incident as happening in a split second.
“Chief 1, it’s reported at Ford Field, Chief 1,” the audio said.
The Detroit Fire Department said all six workers were taken to nearby hospitals. No injuries appeared to be life-threatening, officials said. At the time of transport, two patients were in serious condition and four were in stable condition.
Ford Field begins review
Ford Field said one of the injured people was a member of its team and that it is reviewing what happened in cooperation with authorities and the event’s production partners.
“Ford Field has begun a full review and is cooperating with the appropriate authorities and with the event’s production partners,” the stadium said. “Out of respect for the people involved and the integrity of that review, we will not speculate on the cause. We are grateful to the Detroit Fire Department and EMS for their rapid response.”
Ed Sheeran was in Detroit for several nights, and Saturday’s concert was his final show in the city.
