Astroworld: Nine-year-old injured at Travis Scott’s music festival dies, family says
Ezra Blount was on life support for days after suffering brain swelling and organ damage
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A nine-year-old child who was on life support after being injured in the crowd surge at Travis Scott’s Astroworld music festival, has died.
Ezra Blount passed away on Sunday after spending days on life support after the deadly incident on 5 November, his family said.
Ezra fell from his father’s shoulders after the man passed out from the crowd pressure of thousands of people. After Ezra fell, he was trampled on by the crowd.
The boy suffered organ damage and brain swelling. He was placed in a medically-induced coma on life support in an attempt to combat his brain, liver, and kidney trauma.
Ezra's family attorney Ben Crump in a statement said: "the Blount family tonight is grieving the incomprehensible loss of their precious young son. This should not have been the outcome of taking their son to a concert, what should have been a joyful celebration. Ezra’s death is absolutely heartbreaking."
"We are committed to seeking answers and justice for the Blount family. But tonight we stand in solidarity with the family, in grief, and in prayer," the statement read.
So far 10 people have died and hundreds of others sustained injuries after a huge crowd surge on the opening night of the two-day festival. Around 50,000 people were in attendance when part of the crowd began to rush towards the stage during Scott’s performance.
Survivors describe not being able to breathe, passing out, and only managing to stay upright with the help of people around them.
The second-youngest victim has been identified as 14-year-old John Hilgert, a high school freshman and athlete. Other victims include Brianna Rodriguez, a 16-year-old with a passion for dance; Rodolfo Angel Peña, a 23-year-old student and aspiring model who intended to become a border patrol agent; a 27-year-old man who died saving his fiancee; and college students Franco Patino and Jacob Jurinek.
Bharti Shahani, a 22-year-old woman who was filmed being dropped from a stretcher on her head became the ninth victim. She succumbed to her injuries last Wednesday after spending days in the intensive care.
ICU nurse from Houston Madeline Eskins, who attended the Astroworld festival said many first responders had “little to no experience in this type of situation."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments