Stage collapse in Canada kills 1, hurts 40
Source: Agencies |
August 3, 2009, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FANS screamed and ran for cover as a fierce thunderstorm caused an outdoor stage to collapse at a country music festival in central Alberta in Canada, killing one person and injuring up to 40 others, police said.
Thousands of fans were camped out at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, 100 kilometers southeast of Edmonton, when strong winds and heavy rain struck about 6pm on Saturday.
The concert is billed as Canada's largest country music festival.
Camrose Police Chief Darrell Kambeitz confirmed the one death and said 15 of the injured were taken to hospitals. Canadian media said four of those injured were in critical condition. Kambeitz later said up to 40 people could have been injured, with some treated at the site.
Fearing a tornado, panicked fans scrambled to find loved ones and shelter.
"We were all racing for the exit," said Lori Trelenberg of Sherwood Park, Alta. "It was devastation. It was strong and powerful. The stage just sort of crumbled."
The Nashville-based Billy Currington band was playing when the power went out and the stage collapsed. One band member was pulled from the wreckage with a badly injured arm. Kevin Costner and his band Modern West were next to perform when the storm hit.
CFCW radio personality Danny Hooper was on the stage when the storm hit.
"I can't describe the sky - it was brown and purple and green," Hooper said on CFCW. "The massive wind blew me backwards."
Maria Brandon and her sister, who were watching the show from bleachers near the stage, were injured as they tumbled into the wreckage.
"It was the most terrifying experience of our lives," she said.
Kambeitz told The Canadian Press that reports of dozens of people being trapped at the site were not true.
Thousands of fans were camped out at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, 100 kilometers southeast of Edmonton, when strong winds and heavy rain struck about 6pm on Saturday.
The concert is billed as Canada's largest country music festival.
Camrose Police Chief Darrell Kambeitz confirmed the one death and said 15 of the injured were taken to hospitals. Canadian media said four of those injured were in critical condition. Kambeitz later said up to 40 people could have been injured, with some treated at the site.
Fearing a tornado, panicked fans scrambled to find loved ones and shelter.
"We were all racing for the exit," said Lori Trelenberg of Sherwood Park, Alta. "It was devastation. It was strong and powerful. The stage just sort of crumbled."
The Nashville-based Billy Currington band was playing when the power went out and the stage collapsed. One band member was pulled from the wreckage with a badly injured arm. Kevin Costner and his band Modern West were next to perform when the storm hit.
CFCW radio personality Danny Hooper was on the stage when the storm hit.
"I can't describe the sky - it was brown and purple and green," Hooper said on CFCW. "The massive wind blew me backwards."
Maria Brandon and her sister, who were watching the show from bleachers near the stage, were injured as they tumbled into the wreckage.
"It was the most terrifying experience of our lives," she said.
Kambeitz told The Canadian Press that reports of dozens of people being trapped at the site were not true.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
