The death toll from a deadly crowd surge at a rap concert in Texas has grown to 10, according to a lawyer for the victims, after a nine-year-old child who was stomped during the event died of his injuries.
While attending a performance by hip-hop singer Travis Scott, scores of concertgoers were wounded on November 5 in Houston at the Astroworld Festival when they were crushed against barricades, unable to move or breathe as the crowd surged toward the stage.
Attendees reported that some fell and others toppled on top of them, crushing the bodies beneath and that the density of the throng closer to the stage made it difficult to pick them up and evacuate them.
Among them was nine-year-old Ezra Blount, who sustained severe injuries and was placed in a medically induced coma as doctors fought for his life.
Ben Crump, a prominent US attorney representing the victims of the tragedy, issued a statement late Sunday saying that Blount had succumbed to his injuries.
“The Blount family tonight is grieving the incomprehensible loss of their precious young son,” Crump said.
“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.”
At least 60 lawsuits have been announced singling out Scott and fellow singer Drake, who took to the stage in the final 15 minutes of the concert — well after authorities had declared an emergency.