Trophy Eyes fan injured after stage-diving accident: 'Truly heartbroken'
A concertgoer was left severely injured after a stage accident during a recent Trophy Eyes show.
Bird Piché suffered a "catastrophic spinal cord" injury during the April 30 concert at Mohawk Place in Buffalo, New York, according to a GoFundMe page created to raise funds for the young woman's medical expenses.
A representative for GoFundMe confirmed the fundraiser's authenticity in an email to USA TODAY Tuesday.
Piché's injury reportedly took place after a member of Trophy Eyes dove into the crowd. In a statement to People magazine, a representative for Mohawk Place said the venue has a "very strict no stage diving or crowd surfing policy."
"There are signs posted everywhere in the venue, and notice was included in the emails for this show with the show's promoter and the band themselves," the representative continued. "Our policy and practiced procedure is a full show stop for any stage diving, which was put into place for this incident."
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USA TODAY has reached out to Mohawk Place for comment.
Stephanie Brown, a family friend of Piché who set up the GoFundMe fundraiser, shared that Piché underwent "extensive surgery" following the concert accident. Leo Wolters Tejera, another family friend, told ABC News affiliate WKBW-TV earlier this month that Piché's neck was "definitely broken," but she has "feeling in her arms."
"She has a long recovery ahead and will need all the help she can get," Brown wrote on GoFundMe. "It is still too early to know what her prognosis is, but after leaving the hospital she will need to go to a rehab facility. She will obviously not be able to work during this time."
USA TODAY has reached out to Brown for comment.
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Trophy Eyes says its 'heartbroken' by concertgoer injury
In a May 3 post on X, Trophy Eyes addressed the "tragic accident" of Piché's concert injury.
"Out of respect for the family, we have refrained from speaking about this publicly so far, but with the blessing of their family we are now able to say how truly heartbroken we are to be here now," the band wrote. "Our friend, Bird, is now in recovery, but still has a long road ahead for them."
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Trophy Eyes for comment.
The Australian punk rock band added that the accident has "shaken us all to our core."
"We ask for patience while we look to help Bird navigate this difficult time," the band concluded. "Please, keep Bird in your thoughts. We remain in close contact with them and will expand on this as new news arrives."
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