Comedian Tony Knight was killed last month when he was hit by a falling branch at a music festival in southern France, his family confirmed Thursday.
The 54-year-old English comic died in the June 8 freak accident, which also injured four others just before the start of the Rock & Cars festival in Lavaur, first reported by local outlet Le Tarn Libre.
Knight’s family confirmed his death this week in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“He was only 54 and having the time of his life,” said Knight’s loved ones. “He was fit, healthy, happy and had everything going for him. He was charismatic, funny, passionate and so very loved by [his long-term partner] Hayley, his family and his friends all over the world.”
Knight and Hayley Wright had been together for over 15 years, her sister Joanne said.
Knight — who had a home in Bouillac, not far from where the festival was held — was back in France for his annual visit for only a few days before the accident occurred.
“Hayley was to follow soon, as they did every year at this time,” Joanne wrote on a GoFundMe set up to help Hayley with funeral costs, medical bills and fees associated with sorting Knight’s estate.
“Hayley is now living her worst nightmare and facing life without Tony…her soulmate,” Joanne continued. “She is in Bouillac having to deal with the difficulties of Tony being an Englishman with Australian residency living in France … all while experiencing a crushing amount of grief and disbelief in a foreign country.”
The GoFundMe had raised over $8,000 of its $20,000 goal as of early Friday evening.
Le Tarn Libre said the tragedy was “surprising” to both attendees and organizers as “there was no wind or storm,” according to a translation.
Lavaur mayor Bernard Carayon released a statement in the wake of the “traumatic” incident.
“I assure his family of our deep compassion and affectionate thoughts in this unbearable ordeal,” said Carayon. “I wish the injured a quick recovery after the traumatic shock suffered. Never has such a dramatic event occurred in our city.”