A father-of-three who died during an Oasis concert at Wembley Stadium last summer fell over a 1.1-metre tall barrier, a pre-inquest review into his death has heard.
Lee Claydon, 45, a landscape gardener from Bournemouth, suffered ‘multiple body injures’ after plunging to his death from Level 5 at the end of the show – which was part of the band’s reunion tour – on August 2.
Medics battled to save his life as horrified fans watched on while the band finished their performance.
Despite their efforts Mr Claydon was pronounced dead at a Wembley medical centre at 10.38pm on August 2.
A post mortem on August 6 gave ‘multiple bodily injuries’ as the cause of death.
On Thursday, senior coroner Andrew Walker ordered a report looking into the safety of barriers at the venue, Barnet Coroner’s Court heard.
He said the report should review the design, height and placement of barriers on level five of the stadium, where Mr Claydon fell from.
The coroner said the report should also contain a risk assessment of the placement of the barriers, and indicate whether any modifications have been made to the barriers since their installation, and whether safety regulations at the stadium provide ‘a safe environment’ for people attending the venue.
Lee Claydon, 45, plunged to his death after falling over a 1.1-metre-tall barrier from the fifth level at Wembley Stadium last August
The last picture of Mr Claydon before he died at the Oasis reunion concert
Mr Walker ordered the report in response to a letter received earlier this year, understood to have been written by a former Wembley employee who was working at the stadium around 20 years ago, which raised concerns over safety measures.
Mr Walker said: ‘My concern is that this area (the stadium) is safe and that steps are taken as soon as possible to make this area safe.
‘Although I am not an expert, this report (the letter) suggests that there needs to be some steps taken to make this area safe.’
He added: ‘What I really need to understand is the risk associated with the barriers.’
The letter, which was also seen by the Metropolitan Police, was ordered by the coroner to be disclosed to Brent Council, Mr Claydon’s family and the Football Association.
Oasis previously said in a statement: ‘We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show.
‘Oasis would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved.’
Detective Sergeant James Raffin, of the Metropolitan Police, told a hearing in November that Mr Claydon’s death was a ‘tragic accident’.
The father-of-three is pictured with his partner Amanda Purnell
He said: ‘It’s no longer a criminal prosecution. I’m confident we can rule out any suicide. From everything we have seen this is a tragic accident.’
DS Raffin also said the Met’s investigation was ‘complete’ from a police point of view.
He added they had seen the toxicology report and ‘some alcohol had been taken, but that was normal for many people attending on the night’.
The inquest was attended via video link by Mr Claydon’s partner, Amanda Purnell, and other members of his family.
The victim’s father Clive Claydon, 75, previously said: ‘He was a lovely bloke, loved to be with his family – a hard-working family man, he loved his kids, looked after them really well.
‘He had everything going for him. I am so devastated, I have been to the doctor for tablets and everything to get over it.’
Following his death, tributes poured in with Mr Claydon’s brother Aaron describing him as ‘the man I have always looked up to’.
He wrote on a GoFundMe page: ‘Our family has been turned upside down and are struggling to deal with this devastation and unexpected loss.
‘Lee leaves behind his Son, Dad, Partner, Brothers, Sisters, Nephews and Niece.
‘Lee was a loving family man who was a role model to his son Harry and was loved so much by all his family.
‘Lee would have done anything for any of us and he was taken from us far too soon and we will miss him so very much.
‘Lee loved all outdoor activities – one of his favourite hobbies was fishing.
‘He also loved music and his guitar. He also really enjoyed going to watch and support the boys and his nephew at their football games.’
Oasis previously said: ‘We are shocked and saddened to hear of the tragic death of a fan at the show’
Mr Claydon’s cousin Shannon Robbie wrote on Facebook: ‘Honestly don’t even know what words to write right now.
‘My cousin Lee tragically passed away this weekend after no doubt having the time of his life at the Oasis concert this weekend.
‘Most will have seen snippets in the news I’m sure and as you can imagine it has devastated the whole family and for his closest knit family unit it’s the toughest time they are going through ever right now – sharing his go fund me page, in the hope that any donations, big or small, will go a long way towards helping his partner Amanda and the boys throughout this awful period and costs of things.
‘You just don’t fathom you will go out for a night of amazing fun and not come home at the end of it.’
An inquest date has been set for April 29 at 10am.