Metallica break silence after fan dies at concert: 'We're touched he got to spend his final time with us'

Metallica shared a moving tribute to a fan after learning he died during their concert in Canada on Friday evening. 

The heavy metal band took to Instagram as they shared a picture of the fan, named as Lorne 'Viking' Lindstrom, writing that they were 'touched that he spent some of his final, hopefully joyful, time with us.'

The tragedy came at the band's show in Edmonton, Alberta, where Lindstrom was stretchered away from the VIP 'Snake Pit' area as the band performed. 

Lindstrom's cause of death has not been revealed, however a friend shared in a fan Facebook group that he 'suffered a medical issue and was taken out of the snake pit on a stretcher while EMS did aggressive CPR.' 

Lorne 'Viking' Lindstrom passed away following a medical emergency at Metallica's World Tour stop in Edmonton, Canada on Friday evening 

The band, seen performing at the Edmonton show, said in a post announcing Lindstrom's death that they were 'touched that he spent some of his final, hopefully joyful, time with us' 

Metallica announced the news of Lindstrom's passing on Wednesday, saying the band 'lost a Metallica family member' in the incident. 

The band said he 'died due to health conditions... leaving the earthly body and onto the next adventure.' 

'Very sad when death happens, but we’re touched that he spent some of his final, hopefully joyful, time with us,' the post read. 

'Our condolences to the family and friends of Lorne ‘Viking.’ With Love and Respect, Metallica.' 

Lindstrom died mid-show at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium, where Metallica performed as part of their M72 World Tour. 

The heavy metal band, seen at an earlier show in Massachusetts on August 2, paid their respects as they said Lindstrom left his 'earthly body and onto the next adventure' 

A friend described Lindstrom as 'the kindest soul' and said he 'will be missed terribly' 

Metallica took to Instagram to pay their respects to 'Viking', saying they were 'touched that he spent some of his final, hopefully joyful, time with us' 

According to his friend Erika Oldale who shared a tribute to the fan Facebook group, Lindstrom was stretchered away from the crowd by EMS, but 'despite their efforts, Lorne did not survive.' 

'Seeing the outpouring of concern and well wishes makes us feel that were blessed to call him friend feel a little less lost and alone,' she wrote. 

'Thank you to the concert goers for that. He was the kindest soul. We all called him Viking. He will be missed terribly!! 

'Please crank up a Metallica song, and raise a glass for the Viking!! RIP my dear friend.' 

It is not the first time a Metallica fan has died at one of the heavy metal band's shows, with a 21-yer-old fell to his death at a Baltimore concert in 2000.