Fisherman's Friends pay tribute to bandmate Trevor Grills
Grieving members of Cornwall's Fisherman's Friends yesterday spoke of "a much-loved and valued friend", following the death of singer Trevor Grills in a freak accident which also killed the band's tour manager.
Mr Grills, one of the ten performers with the Port Isaac sea shanty group, was seriously injured in an incident at the G Live venue in Guildford, Surrey, on Saturday.
Paul McMullen from Stockport, who was touring with the group, died at the scene after suffering leg injuries when he was trapped underneath a metal stage door.
Mr Grills, 54, a carpenter and builder, who was married with three sons, suffered critical head injuries in the incident. He was taken to St George's Hospital in Tooting, London, where he died on Monday night.
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The group said: "The Fisherman's Friends announce with great sadness that their friend and fellow band member Trevor Grills passed away last night as a result of severe head injuries inflicted during an accident on Saturday, February 9.
"Trevor was a much-loved and valued friend to all of us and was an integral part of the Port Isaac community. He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with Trevor's family at this very difficult time."
Darcus Beese, president of Island Records, the group's label, added: "We are all deeply saddened at losing Trevor.
"The Fisherman's Friends are exactly that: life-long partners in all they do and our thoughts and prayers go out to them and Trevor's family and friends."
Police were called to the venue shortly before midday on Saturday after a report that two men were trapped under a metal door in the loading bay.
Mr McMullen, from Stockport, was treated by paramedics but was declared dead at the scene.
The Friends were due to be performing that night as part of a tour, but the concert was cancelled following the incident. The venue has since reopened. The Health and Safety Executive has been informed of the deaths.
Fans rocked by news of the tragedy paid tribute to Mr Grills.
Writing on the group's Facebook page, Sarah Lee said: "Words seem pointless, but apart from sending you all love there's not much else we can offer. Know that you are in our hearts at this terribly sad time."
Fellow fan Charlie Mason added: "Trevor brought joy to people – a gift few of us have. We've lost someone special."
Fisherman's Friends have enjoyed commercial success since being discovered singing on the quayside in Port Isaac – a tradition they have continued.
The group signed a deal with Island Records and reached the top ten in the UK charts in 2010 with their album Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends. They were also awarded the Good Tradition trophy at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards and played to an audience of thousands at Glastonbury's iconic Pyramid Stage in 2011.
But fans have already begun to ponder what the tragic news will mean for the future of the ensemble.
Writing on the group's Facebook page, Ellen Rodgers said: "Being Cornish and knowing how tight a community Port Isaac is, I know the whole village must be in shock, but please please keep singing even louder now for Paul and Trevor. I am sure they would have wanted that."
Asked about the Fisherman's Friends' future as a group, a management spokesman said: "It's probably a thought that has not occurred to them yet."
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