The family of a ‘loving’ father who fell to his death at an Oasis concert have spoken of the ‘cruel world’ that cut his life short.
Lee Claydon, 41, fell from the upper tier balcony of Wembley Stadium during fireworks marking the finale of Champagne Supernova on Saturday night.
A lifelong Oasis fan, Lee, from Bournemouth, was described as a ‘soulmate’ by his partner Amanda.
She posted on Facebook: ‘I don’t have many words right now… but it’s just not fair, and it’s not right that you’re not here with us.
‘But I will never stop loving you—my best friend, my soulmate, and the other half (the sensible and smarter half!) of our one brain.
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‘You were the best person to be around, day or night. We went through some tough times, but they only made us stronger.
She added: ‘I’m so grateful for the time we had together, even though this cruel world cut it far too short. We had so much to look forward to.’
‘I’ll do my best to stay strong for all our boys—they will make you so proud.
You also have the most amazing family and friends, and we’ll all be there for one another. I’m sure we’ll share some memories you probably wish we’d forgotten.’
‘I love you so much, and saying I miss you doesn’t even come close.
Forever yours, babe.
‘Watch over us. Learning to live without you is something I never thought I’d have to do.’
In a statement issued over the weekend, Liam and Noel Gallagher said they were ‘shocked and saddened’ by the tragedy.
Their next Wembley Stadium gig on Sunday went ahead as planned, but Liam appeared to hint at the previous night’s tragedy.
Just before playing Live Forever, he told the London crowd: ‘This ones for all the people who can’t be here tonight, but who are here if you know what I mean. And ain’t they looking lovely.’
One fan, who was seated below the man in a lower tier, posted on social media about witnessing paramedics do their best to try and save the man after he hit the concrete.
‘I was directly underneath in section 211. At first glance I thought it was a coat falling from the above tier but then I looked and saw the bloke on the concrete. It was horrific to see,’ she said.
Lee’s brother Aaron has set up a GoFundMe page to support the grieving family, describing his brother as ‘the man I have always looked up to’.
He added: ‘Our family has been turned upside down and are struggling to deal with this devastation and unexpected loss.
‘Lee leaves behind his Son, Dad, Partner, Brothers, Sisters, Nephews and Niece.
‘Lee was a loving family man who was a role model to his son Harry and was loved so much by all his family.
‘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.
‘Lee loved all outdoor activities, one of his favourite hobbies was fishing. He also loved music and his guitar. He also really enjoyed going to watch and support the boys and his nephew at their football games.
‘Amanda and the boys have our full support at this very sad time which is why we would love to be able to help them financially as well as emotionally.
‘Please help us raise as much funds as we can to take one worry off Amanda and family right now as they are going through any family’s worst nightmare.’
A spokesperson for the Met Police said: ‘At around 10.19pm on Saturday, August 2, officers on duty at Wembley Stadium for the Oasis concert responded alongside venue medics and the London Ambulance Service to reports that a person had been injured.
‘A man – aged in his 40s – was found with injuries consistent with a fall. He was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
‘The stadium was busy, and we believe it is likely a number of people witnessed the incident, or may knowingly or unknowingly have caught it on mobile phone video footage.
‘If you have any information that could help us to confirm what happened, please call 101.’
A Wembley Stadium spokesperson said on Sunday: ‘Wembley Stadium medics, the London Ambulance Service and the police attended to a concert goer who was found with injuries consistent with a fall.
‘Despite their efforts, the fan very sadly died.
‘Our though go out to his family, who have been informed and are being supported by specially trained police officers.
‘The police have asked anyone who witnessed the incident to contact them.’
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