Decapitated Drummer Dies After Accident

Decapitated drummer Witold "Vitek" Kieltyka has died in a Russian hospital from injuries sustained in a traffic accident. He was just 23 years old. Vitek and singer Adrian "Covan" Kowanek were hurt in an accident earlier in the week involving the band's tour bus and a wood truck near the Russia/Belarus border. In a statement released yesterday, Covan's family said the two were in a hospital in Novozybkov, Russia, where they were taken following the accident. Covan is reportedly showing some progress.

Decapitated has posted this message on their official site:
"Witold "Vitek" Kieltyka – our brother and dearest friend succumbed to head injuries sustained after a bad van accident while on tour in Russia. He was 23.

One of the youngest and most promising drummers in the genre, together with Decapitated he has consistently released albums both crushing and invigorating in their musicianship. Extremely talented – he has been involved in other side projects: Dies Irae, Panzer X. He will be missed and can not be replaced. The metal scene will be much sorrier with his passing…"

Amon Amarth had planned a North American tour with Decapitated, and issued this statement upon learning of Vitek's death:
"It’s with deep shock and sadness we have received the tragic news of the death of Witold "Vitek" Kieltyka, drummer in Decapitated, and we want to express our deepest condolences to his family and friends. We were really looking forward to touring North America with Decapitated, and the news of the accident came as a real shock. We also want to send our best well wishes to Adrian “Covan” Kowanek, who also was injured in the accident, and we sincerely hope that he will recover soon."

Fans of Decapitated have been leaving memories and condolences on the band's MySpace site. We would like to extend our condolences as well to Vitek's friends and family, including his brother Wacław "Vogg" Kiełtyka, who is the guitarist in Decapitated. We also wish Covan a speedy recovery from his serious injuries.