Five killed as wind blows down stage at US fair
Source: Agencies |
August 15, 2011, Monday
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A STAGE collapsed during a storm at the Indiana State Fair in the US, sending steel scaffolding into the crowd below and killing at least five people among fans awaiting a performance by country band Sugarland.
The collapse on Saturday evening came moments after an announcer warned of the advancing storm and gave instructions on what to do in the event of an evacuation. Witnesses said a wall of dust and rain blew up quickly and a burst of high wind toppled the rigging. People ran screaming and shouting.
Hundreds of concert-goers rushed into the wreckage to help the injured. Many tried to lift heavy beams, lights and other equipment that collapsed on the crowd.
About 45 people were injured, including at least one child, according to local news reports.
Sergeant Dave Bursten, of Indiana state police, said the number of injured could rise because some people may have gone to hospital under their own power.
He said the injuries ranged from cuts and scrapes to "very serious injuries" and that it was a "very likely possibility" that the death toll could mount.
Emergency crews continued to search the fairground early yesterday to ensure no injured people had wandered off after the collapse, Bursten said.
Fair officials canceled all activities yesterday. The fair, which is scheduled to run until next weekend, was expected to resume today with a service honoring the victims, he said.
Bursten said emergency personnel and fair officials had been monitoring the weather because a severe storm was expected to hit the area around 9:15pm. However, the storm hit 15 minutes earlier.
He said preparations were being made to evacuate the facility but a "significant gust of wind" hit rigging that holds lights and other equipment before the evacuation plan could be activated.
"As we all know, weather can change in a very rapid period of time," he said.
Concert-goers said the opening act by Sara Bareilles had finished and the crowd was waiting for Sugarland to take the stage.
They said an announcer alerted them that severe weather was possible and gave instructions on what to do if an evacuation was necessary.
Witnesses said the rigging collapsed just minutes after that announcement.
"It was like it was in slow motion," Amy Weathers told the Indianapolis Star. "You could not believe it was actually happening."
Photographer Darron Cummings was in the audience shortly before the collapse. He said he and his companions sought shelter in a nearby barn after the weather warning. "Then we heard screams," he said.
The collapse on Saturday evening came moments after an announcer warned of the advancing storm and gave instructions on what to do in the event of an evacuation. Witnesses said a wall of dust and rain blew up quickly and a burst of high wind toppled the rigging. People ran screaming and shouting.
Hundreds of concert-goers rushed into the wreckage to help the injured. Many tried to lift heavy beams, lights and other equipment that collapsed on the crowd.
About 45 people were injured, including at least one child, according to local news reports.
Sergeant Dave Bursten, of Indiana state police, said the number of injured could rise because some people may have gone to hospital under their own power.
He said the injuries ranged from cuts and scrapes to "very serious injuries" and that it was a "very likely possibility" that the death toll could mount.
Emergency crews continued to search the fairground early yesterday to ensure no injured people had wandered off after the collapse, Bursten said.
Fair officials canceled all activities yesterday. The fair, which is scheduled to run until next weekend, was expected to resume today with a service honoring the victims, he said.
Bursten said emergency personnel and fair officials had been monitoring the weather because a severe storm was expected to hit the area around 9:15pm. However, the storm hit 15 minutes earlier.
He said preparations were being made to evacuate the facility but a "significant gust of wind" hit rigging that holds lights and other equipment before the evacuation plan could be activated.
"As we all know, weather can change in a very rapid period of time," he said.
Concert-goers said the opening act by Sara Bareilles had finished and the crowd was waiting for Sugarland to take the stage.
They said an announcer alerted them that severe weather was possible and gave instructions on what to do if an evacuation was necessary.
Witnesses said the rigging collapsed just minutes after that announcement.
"It was like it was in slow motion," Amy Weathers told the Indianapolis Star. "You could not believe it was actually happening."
Photographer Darron Cummings was in the audience shortly before the collapse. He said he and his companions sought shelter in a nearby barn after the weather warning. "Then we heard screams," he said.
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