Yesterday, Spanish publication El Norte de Castilla reported medics at the festival were unable to save one of the group’s dancers after she was hit by a firework. According to the publication, Joana Sainz, 30, died at the Hospital Nuestra Señora de Sonsoles after the incident. Eyewitnesses told the publication a large explosion was heard on the right hand side of the stage while the Super Hollywood Orchestra were performing late in the night. A doctor in the audience reportedly came to Sainz’s aid after she was said to have been hit by a firework due to malfunctioning pyrotechnics, while emergency services were also called.
She reportedly collapsed unconscious after being hit by the firework and later died in hospital.
She was the principal dancer and choreographer for the 15-member group, which includes singers, musicians and dancers.
Footage recorded by a member of the audience caught the horrifying moment of the explosion on camera.
The distressing video showed the moment the pyrotechnics went off, with the woman falling to the ground moments later.
The clip was posted on Facebook alongside the caption: “A night that started partying and ended up in a terrible tragedy.”
The Super Hollywood Orchestra’s promoters Prones 1SL expressed their sympathies for Sainz’s friends and families in a statement on Facebook.
They said it would be “very difficult” to overcome her loss.
“We will always remember you, Joana,” the statement said.
A representative from the agency said Sainz had been hit by a cartridge from the band’s pyrotechnic display, which was designed to burn for 15 to 20 seconds.
They said the cartridges were launches by members of the group through an electronic system.
The representative also said the group had used over 2,000 such cartridges in previous shows without incidents.
An investigation has been launched to determine what happened to cause Sainz’s death.
According to El Diario Montanes, initial findings showed the dancer suffered injury to an artery after being hit by the pyrotechnic deice.
At the time of the incident, the band had been performing for approximately 1,000 people.
They had been booked to close the fiesta in Las Berlanas, which is around an hour-and-a-half north west of Madrid.
Sainz was from Santander but lived in Suances.
