Just hours before the idol’s tragic death, a frantic call from hotel staff shows their urgent attempt to prevent a devastating outcome.
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne sadly died at the age of 31 on October 16, 2024, in Buenos Aires, after falling from a hotel balcony. New information reveals that a receptionist from the CasaSur Palermo Hotel made an emergency call just hours before the accident. He shared his worries about the singer, which has left fans heartbroken. Many are expressing sympathy for those who tried to help.
According to the call, the hotel’s head of reception, Esteban, contacted local emergency services after noticing strange behavior from Payne, who had been at the hotel for two to three days. The translated transcript of the original Spanish call shows how serious the situation was.
“Hello, good morning. I just called, but the line was cut off. I’m calling from the CasaSur Palermo Hotel, Costa Rica 6032,” the receptionist began. When asked for details, Esteban explained that they had a guest who, “when conscious, he breaks, he’s breaking the whole room. And, well, we need you to send someone, please.”
After a series of questions from the operator, Esteban’s tone became more urgent. “He is in a room with a balcony. And, well, we are a little afraid that he might do something that puts his life at risk,” he said, adding that they couldn’t get into the room. He requested help again, saying, “What I’m asking you is for someone to come urgently.”
In the end, the dispatcher sent medical personnel, called “SAME” in Argentina, but not the police.
Fans have taken to social media to express their sadness and support for the hotel staff, especially for Esteban, who made the call. One fan wrote, “Bless this man’s heart. He knew something was very wrong. He tried to help him. I hope he does not live with any type of guilt. He did the right thing. They just didn’t get there in time.”
Others shared similar thoughts, praising Esteban’s actions. “I hope Esteban knows he did his best and that’s all he could do!” one fan wrote, while another added, “So incredibly sad!! This poor man tried to save him!”
Another fan pointed out the heartbreaking nature of the situation, saying, “The fact that he even says ‘he is in a room with a balcony and who knows if he’ll do something to put his life in danger’ it’s just heartbreaking.” One person commented, “‘We need someone who can get here quickly because I don’t know if the guest’s life is in danger’ THEY TRIED TO SAVE HIM.”
As reported earlier, Payne’s sudden death has led to an official investigation to find out what happened during the tragic event at the CasaSur Palermo Hotel.
Payne was staying at the four-star hotel in Argentina when the fatal fall occurred, according to police. Emergency services were called to the hotel to respond to a man acting strangely, possibly under the influence, as stated by Alberto Crescenti, the director of Buenos Aires Emergency Medical Services, to ABC News.
Crescenti added that Payne was found in the hotel’s inner courtyard and was pronounced dead at the scene. He explained to the local media that the singer fell from a height of about 13 to 14 meters (42 to 45 feet) and described his injuries as “very serious” and “incompatible with life.”
Witnesses told TMZ that Payne was acting strangely in the hotel lobby earlier that day. Before the incident, there were reports that he had broken his laptop and needed help getting back to his room.
Several hotel guests confirmed they saw the singer fall from the third-floor balcony just after 5 p.m., although it is still unclear if it was accidental or intentional.
Authorities quickly responded and set up a red tent over the scene to begin their investigation. Crescenti mentioned that emergency services arrived at 5:11 p.m., just minutes after the emergency call. Unfortunately, they could not save Payne, whose identity was confirmed only after he was pronounced dead.
Payne had been in Argentina earlier that month to meet with his former One Direction bandmate, Niall Horan, who was having a concert. The 31-year-old singer was a key member of the popular boy band, joining at age 16 when they were formed on “The X Factor.” They became internationally famous before disbanding in 2015.
Payne is survived by his son, Bear, whom he shares with singer Cheryl Cole (now Cheryl Tweedy). The couple announced they were expecting their first child in November 2016, and Bear was born in 2017.
In a 2018 interview, Payne talked about the joys and challenges of being a father. “I always wanted to be a young dad, but I didn’t really expect that I’d ever be in this place,” he told People.
The singer also humorously referred to himself as “Dada Montana” as he balanced his music career with being a parent. Our prayers go out to his family and all the fans who loved him.