Aussie band Thirsty Merc involved in a fatal car crash in country Victoria

UPDATE: Thirsty Merc’s drummer Mick Skelton has reportedly woken from a coma after a car accident which claimed the life of the band’s stage manager last Tuesday.

Thirsty Merc will be appearing at Mona Vale Hotel on October 8

UPDATE: Thirsty Merc’s drummer Mick Skelton has reportedly woken from a coma after a car accident which saw him placed in intensive care last Tuesday.

Sarah McLeod, a friend of the band and lead singer of Superjesus, posted a mesage on Facebook to let her friends know the good news of his progress.

“Guys.... AMAZING NEWS,” McLeod wrote, “Last night, Mick woke up and the breathing tubes came out! All our collective love and energy is working!!!!!”

The accident tragically claimed the life of the band’s stage manager Shane Cooper, who was killed while the band was on their way to a concert in Victoria on Tuesday.

Skelton was seriously injured in the collision which occurred at a highway intersection in Streatham, about 2.30pm and was flown to Alfred Hospital where he was placed in intensive care after surgery.

The driver of the ute involved in the collision was also treated for injuries at Ballarat hospital.

Frontman Rai Thistlethwayte, bassist Phil Stack and guitarist Matt Smith were travelling in a separate vehicle.

“With the heaviest of hearts, we share this utterly tragic news,” the band said in a Facebook post last week.

“While in transit to our show yesterday, our stage tech Shane, and touring drummer, Mick, were involved in an horrific car accident which killed Shane and seriously injured Mick.

“The band is absolutely shattered. We have returned to Melbourne to stay near Mick, who is in ICU, and are rescheduling the rest of this week’s shows.

“No further decisions have been made and we will let everyone know about future shows as soon as we can.

“Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Shane and Mick’s families in this time.”

Cooper was well respected in the Australian music industry and has a young son and daughter with wife Olivia.

“Shane was incredibly hard-working, an absolute all-rounder. He was so very focused on his family, he always spent time on the phone to his kids each night,” singer Thistlethwayte said.

Skelton is a much sought-after drummer, who also plays with Baby Animals and Sarah McLeod, and performed on the band’s new album Shifting Gears which was released earlier this month.

“Mick is one of the best guys you can ever meet, one of the most legendary drummers in Australia. We just want him to get better,” the singer said.

Thistlethwayte said Cooper, Skelton and Harris had enjoyed a day off playing golf on Monday.

Cooper and Skelton were travelling with the band’s gear to the next gig when the accident happened.

It is understood the band’s instruments and equipment were wrecked.

The band cancelled their scheduled gig at Warrnambool venue The Loft on Tuesday evening.

The future of their 41-date Good Life tour of Australia which kicked off last week remains uncertain.

Thirsty Merc were touring in support of Shifting Gears which they recorded after a successful crowd-funding campaign.

Despite a clutch of pop rock hits including 20 Good Reasons, Someday Someday, Mousetrap Heart and In The Summertime after signing a major label deal in the early 2000s, the band decided to pursue their career independently.

In the Summertime has been the theme for the Ten Network’s Bondi Rescue.

Originally published as Aussie band Thirsty Merc involved in a fatal car crash in country Victoria