Liam Payne’s family have spoken out following the shock death of the ex-One Direction singer in a horror balcony plunge. The ‘Strip That Down’ hitmaker had been on holiday in Buenos Aires, Argentina, sharing carefree snaps and videos of his trip just days before the tragic accident, reports the Mirror.
City ambulance service provider spokesman Alberto Crescenti said: “The alarm was raised at 5.04pm local time saying a person was lying in an internal patio at Casa Sur. At 5.11pm an ambulance arrived and the man was certified dead. Afterwards we found out he had been a famous singer. Unfortunately the injuries he had suffered as a result of the fall proved to be fatal. There was no possibility of resuscitating him.”
His family paid tribute to the star in a statement. They said: “We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we’ll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time.”
Payne reportedly fell from the third floor of his swanky hotel in the Argentine capital, with cops, medics, and firefighters seen rushing to the scene. Initial reports suggest police were responding to calls about a man acting aggressively in the hotel, believed to be under the influence of drink or drugs.
A body was found in an internal patio of the hotel. The police were called to the hotel by the hotel manager. It’s believed that Liam fell from around 13 or 14 metres and suffered “very serious injuries incompatible with life.” While City ambulance service provider spokesman Alberto Crescenti said he had fallen around 40ft and suffered “severe injuries which were incompatible with life.”
In a statement, the local ambulance manager told TN: “At 17.04 through the 911 integrated public safety system, we were alerted of a person who was in an internal courtyard of the management of a south house hotel.
“At 17.11 a SAME team arrived and verified the death of this man and later we found out that he was a singer in a musical group. Unfortunately, he had injuries that were incompatible with life, as a result of his fall, so we had to confirm his death, there was no possibility of resuscitation.”
As the autopsy continues, local media claim the star had checked into the hotel alone. The singer was confirmed to have fallen into an internal courtyard of the CasaSur Palermo Hotel by Alberto Crescenti, head of the state emergency medical system. Speaking to Argentina’s Todo Noticias TV channel, Crescenti said: “A few minutes later [an] emergency team arrived and confirmed the death of this man who we later learned was from a musical group. He had injuries incompatible with life as a result of his fall. There was no way to do anything.”
Crescenti also confirmed that Liam had a “cranial fracture and extremely serious injuries that led to his immediate death.” He went on to say that Liam had already died when medical staff arrived at 5pm local time (9pm GMT). Fans had gathered outside of the swanky hotel in the minutes following Liam’s death, with many lighting candle tributes for the late star.
The 31-year-old was believed to be under the influence of drink or drugs, as reported by local media. Staff at the swanky Casa Sur Hotel had made a desperate 911 call to emergency services, requesting “urgent” support. A receptionist at the hotel told the phone operator: “We have a guest who’s off his head on drugs and is destroying everything in his room. We need someone to come.”
After the line disconnected, the receptionist added: “I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger. The room has a balcony and we are afraid he might do something.” In a heartbreaking twist, just seconds later, the receptionist added: “Just send an ambulance. Only an ambulance.”
The UK Foreign Office confirmed they are in contact with authorities in Argentina “regarding reports of the death of a British man.”
Other stars and fans also paid tribute to the late singer, including Paris Hilton who described the news as “so upsetting” while sending “love and condolences” to his friends and family. She tweeted: “So upsetting to hear the news of @LiamPayne passing. Sending love and condolences to his family & loved ones. RIP my friend.”
Following Liam’s death, former One Direction stylist Lou Teasdale, 41, wrote on her Instagram Stories: “I hope you’re all ok,” followed by an emoji of hands forming a heart, and a broken heart. Irish singing and television presenting duo Jedward also paid tribute to the star, writing on X/Twitter: “RIP Liam Payne. condolences to friends and family.” They added: “Sending strength to Cheryl and his son Bear and all the One direction Family.”
Former X Factor contestant Rylan Clark called his death “tragic” and wrote: “Extremely sad news. V tragic and so young. RIP Liam.”
This Morning presenter Dermot O’Leary recalled Liam’s teen years auditioning for X Factor. Alongside a photo of O’Leary and Payne standing on stage together, he wrote on Instagram: “The worst news. I remember him as a 14 year old turning up to audition on The X Factor, and blowing us away singing Sinatra. He just loved to sing. He was always a joy, had time for everyone, polite, grateful, and was always humble. Sending love and prayers to his family.”
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