Photo: WENN.com
Alex Band, frontman of The Calling who was abducted, severely beaten and left for dead on train tracks in Michigan, US over the weekend, has revealed he is glad to be alive after the attack.
Band was hauled into a van in the early hours of Sunday morning after walking to a local supermarket, close to a hotel he was staying at in the city. He was then reportedly badly beaten and dumped on nearby train tracks.
"I am grateful to be alive and I know that I am destined for bringing my music back to my fans," says the singer in an official statement, who also denied internet rumours that the beating was part of a drug deal gone wrong.
"I take my rehabilitation very seriously. I was near death due to this unbelievable situation and the rumors are categorically false."
Watch The Calling's 2001, UK No.3 hit 'Wherever You Will Go' hit below
The statement also gives further details of the attack, and reveals the extent of the injuries suffered by the 'Wherever You Will Go' star.
"After a heavily attended Lapeer Days Festival, the singer was abducted after the show during a trip to the mini-mart. Alex was grabbed his shirt and hit from behind and lost his footing," says the statement.
"After Band fought back, he was cornered in the van with the gun to his face, and Band told the assailants, 'Don't kill me as I am about to be a dad.'" After more beating, the assailants responded with 'We don't kill fathers' and then left him for dead at a local railroad track in Lapeer."
He suffered a fractured lower spine, a gash on his chin requiring 15 stitches, three broken teeth, and bruising to his side and stomach."
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