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Friendly Fires Trumpet Player Dead at 27

Richard Turner died while swimming in London

August 19, 2011 2:40 PM ET
friendly fires
Richard Turner and Ed Macfarlane of Friendly Fires perform at the Isle Of Wight Festival.
Holloway/Redferns

Richard Turner, the trumpet player for the British dance pop band Friendly Fires, died last week after going into cardiac arrest while swimming at an open air pool in South London. Turner, who was 27, was spotted struggling in the pool by lifeguards, who attempted to rescue him. After being pulled out of the water, he was taken by ambulance to King's College Hospital, where he passed away.

Photos: Random Notes

"He was an utterly exceptional musician and his contributions to our shows will be hugely missed," Friendly Fires said in a statement on their website. "He was also an accomplished and admired composer."

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