US pop star Madonna has flown into the French city of Marseille to visit the family of a stage hand who was killed in an accident while preparing her concert.

The black-clad singer landed at Marseille-Marignane airport and sped off with a bodyguard in a black Mercedes.

They went to meet the family of 52-year-old Charles Criscenzo who died along with a 23-year-old Briton when part of the singer's stage collapsed.

Eight more workers who were preparing the city's Stade Velodrome for the concert were injured when a crane toppled over and the section of stage fell. Madonna is travelling to two Marseille hospitals to see three workers who remain in care since the incident on Thursday.

One of the patients is an American in a serious condition, according to health officials. Madonna brought her two adopted children with her, but they left the airport in another car.

The mayor's special events deputy Maurice Di Nocera said: "Madonna wanted to come and visit those injured and the families of those killed. She wanted something private and discreet."

The star is not allowed to visit the Stade Velodrome because an inquiry into the accident has begun. The investigation by French prosecutors could lead to manslaughter charges. In particular, they are looking at a possible error in how the stage roof had been raised, a judicial official said.

A stage technician, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the roof would normally have been hauled into place by four motors, but one of these had been replaced on Thursday by the crane that collapsed.

The concert has been cancelled. Madonna's next tour date is a sell-out gig in Barcelona's Olympic Stadium.

Source: SKY News