Qld: Limp Bizkit devastated over death of girl

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2001
Qld: Limp Bizkit devastated over death of girl

GOLD COAST, Feb 1 AAP - American band Limp Bizkit today said it was devastated by the
death of a teenager who suffered a heart attack in a crowd rush at Sydney's Big Day Out
concert.

Jessica Michalik, 15, of Dee Why in Sydney's northern beaches, had been in a critical
condition in Concord Hospital since the concert on Australia Day and died yesterday afternoon.

"We are devastated that Jessica died and really nothing can describe the sadness and
anguish we are feeling," the band said in a statement issued today.

"We offer sympathy, prayers, and compassion to her family and friends. The loss of
her life will impact ours forever."

Jessica was one of six revellers injured when a 55,000-strong crowd surged to the stage
as rap-rock act Limp Bizkit closed the January 26 concert at Homebush Bay.

Limp Bizkit quit the concert tour a day after the event saying organisers would not
implement higher safety standards.

A source at Limp Bizkit's record company headquarters in New York said the band had
been in contact with Jessica's family.

"They've been in contact with her father ... right from the beginning ... so they knew
as soon as (she died)," the source said.

"They're back here in the States and they feel out of touch with what people are saying
over there, and they're pretty devastated about all of this."

Big Day Out organisers said while they believed adequate security measures were in
place for the concert, they would employ extra security guards for the remaining concerts
and erect more barriers to upgrade security.

AAP dp/rp/br

KEYWORD: DAY GIRL BAND

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