Fisherman's Friend singer Trevor Grills dies after G Live accident that killed manager

The Fisherman's Friends grew up in the same village and have been singing together for 16 years - Trevor Grills pictured back row, second from right.

Fisherman’s Friend singer Trevor Grills has died following an accident at the G Live theatre venue in Surrey that killed the band’s manager over the weekend.

Grills, 54, who sang with the sea shanty folk group from Port Isaac, Cornwall for 16 years, died as a “result of severe head injuries” where he was being treated at St George’s hospital in Tooting.

The band confirmed the news on their Facebook page: “The Fisherman’s Friends announce with great sadness that their friend and fellow band member Trevor Grills passed away last night as a result of severe head injuries inflicted during an accident on Saturday 9 February.”

“Trevor was a much loved and valued friend to all of us and was an integral part of the Port Isaac community. He will be sadly missed. Our thoughts are with Trevor’s family at this very difficult time.”

On Saturday Paul McMullen, manager of the 10-piece band, was pronounced dead at the G Live theatre.

The accident, during which McMullen and Grills were both trapped under a falling metal door, is currently under investigation by Surrey police with the theatre’s help.

The choir, who have sung together for 16 years, are made up of fishermen, tradesmen, shopkeepers, a potter and a farmer. They met while working on a project to build a boat, after which they were in the habit of retiring to a pub for “a pint and a song”.

They first came to critical attention when they released their first album, Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends, on Universal Records at the end of April 2010.

Since then, they have performed at Glastonbury, the Cambridge Folk Festival, the Royal Festival Hall, Union Chapel and, slightly closer to home, the Boardmasters Festival in Newquay and the Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival.

Island Records president Darcus Breese said in a statement: "Everyone here is shocked by this tragic event, our hopes and prayers go out to the friends and families of those involved."