Entertainment

Liverpool indie band Her’s killed in car crash in Arizona, label says

Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading died alongside their tour manager Trevor Engelbrektson while travelling to Santa Ana.
Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading died alongside their tour manager Trevor Engelbrektson while travelling to Santa Ana. Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading died alongside their tour manager Trevor Engelbrektson while travelling to Santa Ana.

Liverpool indie band Her’s were killed in Arizona while travelling to a show in California, their label has said.

Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading died alongside their tour manager Trevor Engelbrektson early on Wednesday, according to a statement by Heist Or Hit.

They had performed in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday and were driving about 350 miles to Santa Ana, California, when the crash happened.

Local reports said four were killed when a vehicle going the wrong way on Interstate 10 collided with a van carrying three people shortly after 1am local time.

Police could not confirm the identities of those killed.

Her’s were on their second tour of North America playing 19 shows having released their debut album Invitation To Her’s last year, the label said.

The statement said: “We are all heartbroken. Their energy, vibrancy and talent came to define our label. As humans, they were warm, gentle and hilarious. Each time they stopped by the office made for an uplifting experience.

“To say they were close would be an underestimation of a friendship that was genuinely beautiful to witness; they loved one another like brothers. Musically, Her’s were astonishing. An aptitude for melody, fun, and entertainment combined with a complexity that was as sophisticated as it was stylish.

“They were in America playing to thousands of adoring fans. Fans they made a point of meeting and spending time with, such was their passion and humbleness. The world was at their feet.”

The statement, signed by Mick Scholefield, Martin Colclough and Patrick Fogarty, said everyone at the label is “overwhelmed and distraught”.

It added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Stephen, Audun and Trevor, please respect their privacy at this extremely difficult time.”

Fitzpatrick was from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, according to his Facebook page, while Laading was originally from Kristiansand, Norway, his social media account said.

The pair met while studying at the Liverpool Institute For Performing Arts. Her’s career was taking off and in August last year they were named as ones to watch by the Guardian.

Fans expressed their devastation on social media following the deaths.

One said: “This is awful, I’m heartbroken. Such talented guys. Thoughts with their family and friends right now.”

Another commented: “Such awful awful news. Always put on a great show and could tell how much they loved this music and each other. All the love to you all.”

One fan wrote: “Love to their families. Such heartbreaking news. An incredible talent.”

Her’s deaths come after four members of the band Viola Beach, from Warrington, died in a crash in Sweden in February 2016.

Kris Leonard, River Reeves, Tomas Lowe, Jack Dakin and their manager Craig Terry died when their Nissan Qashqai drove off a bridge and into a canal.