Oasis fan: 'I slipped and injured myself at Wembley gig after concert goer died'

An Oasis fan ended up in surgery after slipping on stairs at their Wembley concert just 24 hours after another concert goer tragically died at the major venue.

Michael Hargreaves was with his wife Theressina at the much-anticipated Oasis concert on August 3, when he slipped down the stairs while carrying them both a drink back from the bar. The 53-year-old self-employed plumber and gas engineer has been left unable to work while he recovers.

He told the Mirror he was returning from the bar at around 6.30pm, after watching support act Cast, when he slipped on a stairway onto the pitch. Being an avid Manchester City fan and former England Supporters' Club member, as well as a regular concert goer, Michael estimates he has been to Wembley around 65 times.

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Michael, from Stockport, said: "The floor was slippier than I’ve ever known it at Wembley, or at any other concert I’ve been to. I was walking down some stairs with a drink in each hand for me and my wife and the next thing I knew I was up in the air. It all happened so quickly.

“The pain when I landed was excruciating, and then I saw the blood. I knew something was seriously wrong, it genuinely felt like my arm had detached at the elbow. I think I went into shock, as a lot of it is a blur after that.

“I had only had a couple of glasses of wine with lunch, so was far from being drunk, which is verified in my medical report. We were looking forward to a great time at Oasis after being so lucky to get tickets when a few extra ones were released after they initially sold out.”

He received first aid at Wembley, and despite trying his best to stay, Michael and his wife were forced to miss the vast majority of the Oasis set to go to hospital.

Michael underwent emergency surgery at the Queen Mary Hospital in London the following morning, and has been warned he may face lifelong consequences of the injury to his dominant right arm. He is currently unsure when he will be able to return to work again.

After Michael was injured, he was taken to Wembley’s treatment room, where he had stitches. While medics advised him to go to hospital urgently, he was determined to see Oasis if he possibly could – but the pain became so great, he had to leave after a number of songs.

“They gave us some seats to watch Oasis, but I think once the shock had worn off, I realised the amount of pain I was in, I just couldn’t stay, and knew I needed to get to hospital,” recalls Michael.

“They kept me in overnight and operated the next morning. It’s been a few weeks now, but I’m really worried for the future. I’m having physio and we are working on extending my arm again – but I’ve been warned I may not be able to straighten it properly anymore. It’s all very uncertain, and it’s very worrying financially.

“I’ve always worked, I’ve worked for 35 years, and the thought of now having to claim benefits just to pay the bills is really awful. It’s all so unknown, you never think you’ll be in this position. While a lot of my customers are waiting for me to recover, I just don’t know when that will be, and I’m having to turn work away – I couldn’t afford to pay someone else. It’s a really worrying time.”

Michael has turned to serious injury specialists at law firm Slater and Gordon for support in finding answers around how he was injured, and in rebuilding his life.

Matthew Tomlinson, Head of Serious Injury (North) at Slater and Gordon, says: “This injury has turned Michael’s life upside down and has left him struggling physically and financially. We will work tirelessly to establish the facts of what happened to cause Michael’s serious injury, and to support him in his recovery.”

An inquest opened on Thursday following the death of landscape gardener Lee Claydon at the Oasis concert on Wembley on August, heard hen suffered “multiple bodily injuries.

The 45 year old from Bournemouth, Dorset, was taken to a medical centre in Wembley after the fall where he was pronounced dead at 10.38pm. An inquest was opened at Barnet Coroner’s Court by senior coroner Andrew Walker. The inquest will continue later in the year.

Oasis previously said in a statement: “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.”

A Wembley Stadium spokesman told the Mirror A Wembley: “All accidents and incidents that take place at Wembley Stadium are reported and investigated thoroughly. On this occasion the guest was taken to the medical centre and assessed by a doctor who treated a wound and advised he be transferred to hospital immediately for an x-ray and further examination. The guest refused the medical advice provided and discharged himself so he could return to the concert.”