Worker Killed
Prepping Fest

A festival in Gloucester, England, was canceled after a site worker died in an accident involving a forklift truck Aug. 14.

The 33-year-old, subsequently named as Lander de Meulenaere from Bristol, died while setting up the tiny Surround Festival, a 500-capacity event at Sallywood Farm in Horsley.

A statement from the festival read: “Thank you for your patience over the weekend, your support has been thoroughly helpful during this difficult time. We are now working with PayPal to ensure you are all issued a FULL refund. 

This is our absolute priority and we are working to get these issued as soon as possible. Once refunds have been made you will receive a confirmation email so please check your inboxes towards the end of this week and during next week.” 

Local newspapers are reporting that de Meuleunaere, a Belgian national, was “highly experienced” and was head of Global Domes, providing geodesic tents for festivals.

Police, fire and rescue and ambulance were called to the site but de Meuleunaere was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances around his death, and the matter is now being investigated by Stroud District Council and the Health and Safety Executive.

Surround’s lineup was to include Koan Sound, Joey McCrilley, and Jus Now.