Thirsty Merc drummer escapes fatal car crash

The drummer for Australian rock band Thirsty Merc has survived a horrific car crash which killed the band’s stage manager.
The rockers are mourning the death of Shane Cooper, a member of their road crew who died in the accident in western Victoria on Tuesday (22Sep15).
Cooper was driving drummer Mick Skelton to the band’s show in Warrnambool when the crash occurred.
The percussionist survived the accident and was airlifted to a local hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
A statement from the band, which is fronted by Rai Thistlethwayte, reads, “With the heaviest of hearts, we share this utterly tragic news. While in transit to our show yesterday, our stage manager, Shane, and touring drummer, Mick, were involved in an horrific car accident which killed Shane and seriously injured Mick. The band is absolutely shattered. We have returned to Melbourne to stay near Mick who is in ICU (intensive care unit) and are rescheduling the rest of this week’s shows… Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Shane and Mick’s families (sic) in this time.”
Thistlethwayte formed Thirsty Merc in 2002 and they have enjoyed big success Down Under. The band has scored three hit albums as well as a slew of Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards (ARIA) nominations.