An OFFSPRING fan was seriously injured after falling from the balcony during the band's gig at the Brixton Academy on April 19. The drama happened while the US punk band were playing the last song of their set. The man was taken to St Thomas' Hospital, Waterloo, and was still recovering as NME went to press. Eyewitness reports were not clear whether the youngster jumped, fell or was pushed, but rumours of a man being arrested after the gig in connection with the incident were dismissed by the Metropolitan Police. However, Brixton Academy confirmed that police were investigating the incident, together with the Health And Safety Executive and Lambeth Council, the local authority.

A spokesman at Brixton Academy said: "The man fell approximately ten metres and he's still in a very poorly state and is seriously injured. Until the young man has recovered, it's impossible for us to say any more." A spokeswoman for Offspring who saw the fall told NME: "The kid just came flying from the balcony. It was so horrific. You just knew he'd really, really hurt himself, but he was so shocked, he got up and walked backstage. I think he broke his collarbone, his ribs, and his face was really smashed up, too." The spokeswoman continued that she waited with the young man until an ambulance arrived, but she was not allowed to accompany him to hospital.

She added: "The band are extremely sad and upset about the whole thing and they wish there was something more they could do, but we don't know his name." A spokeswoman for Lambeth Council told NME: "We are investigating, but are at a very preliminary stage at the moment and can't go into any details."