Ghost's Milwaukee concert canceled after fan collapses, dies

Piet Levy | Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

A sold-out Milwaukee concert with the band Ghost was canceled in progress Thursday after a fan collapsed. He died later Thursday night.

The Swedish metal band — performing at the 2,500-capacity Riverside Theater — had just announced an intermission around 9:15 p.m. when a man in the pit fell to the ground, concertgoer Alexander Stafford told the Journal Sentinel.

Fans flagged security for help, CPR was issued, and people were cleared out of the venue, Stafford said. Around 9:45 p.m., security began telling people that the show was canceled, he said.

"Tonight, in Milwaukee, there was a medical emergency with one of our fans," Ghost said in a statement on Twitter late Thursday. "We decided not to continue out of respect to him and his family. Ghost and all who work with us ask that you please send the family your thoughts, prayers and respect their privacy during this time."

Tonight, in Milwaukee there was a medical emergency with one of our fans. We decided not to continue out of respect to him and his family. Ghost and all who work with us ask that you please send the family your thoughts, prayers and respect their privacy during this time. — Cardinal Copia (@thebandGHOST) June 1, 2018

The Milwaukee Medical Examiner said the man was transported to Columbia St. Mary's hospital, where he died later Thursday evening of natural causes. No autopsy was planned. His name and other details were not released.

After learning of his passing, Ghost posted a follow-up statement on social media Friday morning.

"This morning we learned that the man taken to the hospital from our show last night in Milwaukee passed away from natural causes," Ghost posted. "Our hearts are broken for him & his family. Again we ask you to send the family your prayers, condolences & respect their privacy during this time."

This morning we learned that the man taken to the hospital from our show last night in Milwaukee passed away from natural causes. Our hearts are broken for him & his family. Again we ask you to send the family your prayers, condolences & respect their privacy during this time. — Cardinal Copia (@thebandGHOST) June 1, 2018

Ghost's concert fell on the eve of Friday's release of its fourth studio album "Prequelle."

Earlier Thursday, the band had teased on social media that it would be making a midnight appearance Thursday in Milwaukee. It was likely to be at the Exclusive Company, which had announced a special midnight opening at its East Side store to celebrate the album's release.

After the show was canceled, Ghost's social media posts hinting at a Milwaukee appearance were taken down.