A Connecticut band is offering support to its fans after a Connecticut man died following a fall while during a concert in New York City over the weekend.
The man was identified as 51-year-old Paul Kueker of Niantic, according to the New York Police Department.
Police said Kueker fell from an upper deck during a concert on Saturday at Madison Square Garden. According to police, the fall came from an “elevated position” in Section 300.
Officers found Kueker unconscious and unresponsive after they received a 911 call shortly before 10 p.m. He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Police said Kueker was with his wife to see the band Goose.
In a statement issued to the band’s Facebook page, band members said they were “deeply saddened and heartbroken to learn of the tragic event.”
“We extend our deepest sympathy to everyone affected,” the band wrote. “Thank you to the emergency personnel and venue staff who stepped in with care and support.”
In an Instagram post on Sunday, the band said it considered canceling its show Sunday at Central Park but decided to perform in order to “bring our community together, lean on one another, and offer a space for healing. So let’s be kind to each other tonight and remember our friend.”
The band also announced it was working to host community gatherings with licensed therapists and grief counselors. Goose also stated that it is working with the Western Sun Foundation “to establish a fund to provide support and resources to our fans,” and said information will be available in the upcoming days “about what those resources look like and how you can access those funds.”
The band said proceeds from Sunday’s show would go to the foundation.
Goose also shared resources for fans who may have witnessed the tragedy, including the 988 crisis and support hotline that connects callers to counselors anywhere in the country by call, text or chat; NAMI NYC at 212-684-3264, which offers free local support; and the national NAMI HelpLine at 1-800-950-6264.
Police are still investigating the fall but said they did not suspect foul play was involved.
The daughter of Kueker launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral and memorial costs “and to relieve some of the financial burden during this difficult time,” Kloe Kueker said.
According to Kloe Kueker, Paul Kueker was “a loving father, family man and friend whose presence brought warmth and laughter wherever he went. He loved spending time with his family and cherished every moment he shared with the people he loved. Whether he was cooking a meal for those around him or attending a concert to enjoy live music, he found joy in life’s simple moments and creating memories with others.”
The GoFundMe said Paul Kueker was also a “hardworking and dedicated” senior director of operations at Smartcon. “He took pride in his work and was respected by his coworkers for his leadership, reliability and strong work ethic. He worked tirelessly to provide for his family and was always willing to lend a helping hand to those who needed it,” according to the GoFundMe.
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