Standup comedian dies in “terrible accident”: Tony Knight was 54

The comedian was involved in a terrible accident in which he died.

British comedian Tony Knight, best known to his fans as the “Dog Listener,” has died in a tragic accident involving a falling branch. He was 54 years old. According to Entertainment Weekly, a GoFundMe campaign started by his partner’s sister confirmed the comedian’s death.

Citing a report from French newspaper Le Tarn Libre, Entertainment Weekly notes that the comedian and other attendees at the Rock & Cars Festival in Lavaur, France, were hit by two large branches. Four other people were injured, the newspaper said.

“Tony tragically lost his life on Saturday 7th June in his beloved France in a terrible accident at the Rock & Cars Festival in Lavaur. He was only 54 and having the time of his life,” Joanne Allen wrote about Knight on GoFundMe. “He was fit, healthy, happy and had everything he needed. He was charismatic, funny, passionate and very much loved by Hayley, his family and friends around the world.”

A major reason for the GoFundMe page is to support Knight’s widow and cover funeral costs. “Hayley is living her worst nightmare and must face life without Tony… her soul mate,” the fundraising page reads. “She is in Bouillac and must cope with the difficulties that come with Tony being an Englishman with Australian residency living in France. She must arrange a funeral, cover hospital costs, meet police detectives, doctors and the mayor, visit the scene of the accident and settle Tony’s estate, all while experiencing overwhelming grief and bewilderment in a foreign country.”

Knight’s death would definitely be considered a freak accident. To make matters worse, Knight had just started his annual vacation in France when the accident happened. Knight and his partner had been together for 15 years before the accident.