Liverpool indie band Her’s killed in car crash in Arizona, label says

A indie band from Liverpool and their tour manager have been killed in a car crash in Arizona.

Indie duo Her's had played a gig in Phoenix and were travelling to a show in California when the crash happened early on Wednesday, their label Heist or Hit said.

Stephen Fitzpatrick and Audun Laading died alongside their tour manager Trevor Engelbrektson.

Local reports said four were killed when a vehicle going the wrong way on Interstate 10 collided with a van carrying three people shortly after 1am local time.

Police could not confirm the identities of those killed.

They had performed in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday and were driving about 350 miles to Santa Ana, California, when the crash happened.

Her’s were on their second tour of North America playing 19 shows having released their debut album Invitation To Her’s last year, the label said.

In a poignant post on Instagram, the band are pictured on tour with the caption that reads: "It's almost home time for the lads, US tour has gone swimmingly so far."

Mr Fitzpatrick, from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, and Mr Laading, from Norway, met for the first time as students at The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA).

The pair studied Music at LIPA and during their time they formed the band Her's before graduating in 2016.

Martin Isherwood, the Head of Music at LIPA described the pair as: "the funniest, sweetest, loveliest, most creative lads you can ever meet".

He added: "I know people say these things in situations like this, but it’s absolutely true, they were just so down to earth."

"Their music is a real eclectic mix of retro influences but with a new contemporary edge to it, really creative. The songs are just great and we all thought that they were going to be one of the biggest things out of Liverpool.

"It’s utterly tragic. I’m very upset and the whole Music team here is devastated."

The record label said: "We are all heartbroken. Their energy, vibrancy and talent came to define our label. As humans, they were warm, gentle and hilarious. Each time they stopped by the office made for an uplifting experience.

"To say they were close would be an underestimation of a friendship that was genuinely beautiful to witness; they loved one another like brothers."

It continued: "Musically, Her’s were astonishing. An aptitude for melody, fun, and entertainment combined with a complexity that was as sophisticated as it was stylish."

"Fans they made a point of meeting and spending time with, such was their passion and humbleness. The world was at their feet."

The statement, signed by Mick Scholefield, Martin Colclough and Patrick Fogarty, said everyone at the label is "overwhelmed and distraught".

Fans expressed their devastation on social media following the deaths.

One said: "This is awful, I’m heartbroken. Such talented guys. Thoughts with their family and friends right now."

Another commented: "Such awful awful news. Always put on a great show and could tell how much they loved this music and each other. All the love to you all."

One fan wrote: "Love to their families. Such heartbreaking news. An incredible talent."