TimesLive reported on Sunday, 10 February that he was "struck by a gyrocopter blade as it apparently made an emergency landing at Vaal Marina, a village on the shoreline of the Vaal Dam, on Sunday morning." Police are conducting an investigation.
Dempsey’s career spanned more than 50 years and saw him as a professional songwriter, record producer, musician, music publisher, manager, agent, digital artist, film and television producer and painter.
Amongst numerous other achievements, he owned a high-tech music recording studio where he has written and produced many themes for television programmes, including Topsport, Million Dollar Golf, The History of South Africa Rugby, Cricket, World Cup Golf, World Cup Soccer, The Blue Train Series, Comrades, Twist Grip and Drive Time, as well as the television series The Power of Persuasion and Wings Over Africa.
In 1999 Dempsey produced the feature film Heel Against the Head, for which he wrote the film score and many songs contained in the movie, which made it to number two on the SA box office.
Funeral arrangements will be communicated in the days to come.
Rest in Peace Terry Dempsey... https://t.co/vPaRvPUA2K
— andre le roux (@andrele15801620) February 11, 2019
R.I.P. Terry Dempsey ▪ Elderly man killed by gyrocopter blades during emergency landinghttps://t.co/qBojnaKGjJ?
— Patric van Blerk (@PatricVanBlerk) February 11, 2019
shared via @News24
Terry Dempsey RIP
— Kevin Bewick (@BewickKevin) February 13, 2019
It is with great sadness that we share the tragic news of Terry Dempsey’s passing caused by a freak accident when he was hit by the blade of a crypto copter during an emergency landing.
It is with great sadness that the (SAMRO) has learnt of the passing of Terry Dempsey, who was a renowned songwriter, record producer, musician, music publisher and manager.
— SAMRO (@SAMROMusic) February 12, 2019
R.I.P terry Dempsey. https://t.co/Y8QdCs6EUr
— daniel greeff (@danielgreeff2) February 12, 2019
