Astroworld tragedy: victims refuse Travis Scott's offer to pay for funerals

A Rolling Stones report has revealed that over half of the families who lost members to the tragic stampede at the Astroworld Festival in November have refused the offers of lead singer Travis Scott to pay for the funeral expenses of the deceased. The families have alleged that it is a transparent attempt to cover up the singer's responsibility for the stampede, which took place during his performance and lessen public outcry the outlet claimed.

Philip Corboy, the attorney for the families of 21-year-old friends Jacob Jurinek and Franco Patino who were killed in the stampede said that Scott's mistake was reaching out to families via his criminal lawyers which created the wrong impression. The families of Jurinek and Patino turned down the offer believing it to be a publicity stunt for the singer he said.

"If he's trying to impress upon the families that he's sincere and has concern for them and realize that funerals can be expensive, what Scott's team did is not the way to do it," Corboy said. "You don't get a piece of paper in the mail from a lawyer in Beverly Hills who says he represents Travis Scott. These families are raw right now; they lack any personal touch.

"Over 30 lawsuits have been filed against the singer and the organisers of the festival which took place in Houston, Texas on November 5 at the NRG Park. 10 people were crushed to death in a sudden stampede while several others suffered cardiac arrest in the melee. Hundreds of people in the crowd were injured. Astroworld staff have admitted that the event did not have enough employees to monitor the situation.

Scott and fellow singer Drake are being sued for showing little to no concern over the incident even as it became obvious that there was something wrong in the crowd, and continuing their performances as medical officials fought through the panicked crowd to get to victims. A nine-year-old boy identified as Ezra Blount was trampled by dozens as he was separated from his father and died later of traumatic injuries to his internal organs in hospital later.

Blount's family has also refused offers of funeral compensation from Scott.