Five die as concert stage collapses during storm

A STAGE collapsed during a storm at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday, sending steel scaffolding into the terrified crowd and killing at least five people awaiting a performance by the country band Sugarland.

The collapse came moments after an announcer warned of the advancing storm and gave instructions on what to do in event of an evacuation. Witnesses said a wall of dirt, dust and rain blew up quickly like a dust bowl and a burst of high wind toppled the rigging. People ran, desperate to get out of the way.

Afterward, hundreds of concert-goers rushed amid the chaos to tend to the injured, many trying to lift heavy beams, lights and other equipment that blew onto the crowd. Witnesses said many of the injured were in the VIP section closest to the stage. Emergency crews set up a triage centre below the grandstand at the fairgrounds.

At least 44 people were injured and treated. Indiana State Police 1st Sgt Dave Bursten said the injuries ranged from cuts and scrapes to “very serious injuries,” and it was a “very likely possibility” that the death toll could mount.

Fair officials cancelled all activities yesterday, The fair, which runs through August 21, was expected to resume today with a service honouring the victims,.

The Iowa State Fair announced Sugarland and opening act Sara Bareilles had cancelled their show there yesterday.

Emergency personnel and fair officials had been monitoring the weather and preparations were being made to evacuate the facility because a severe storm was expected in the area around 9.15pm Sgt Bursten said. But the storm hit just before 9pm, and a “significant gust of wind” struck the stage-rigging that holds lights and other equipment before the evacuation plan was activated, he said.

“As we all know, weather can change in a very rapid period of time,” he said.

Concert-goers said that the crowd was waiting for Sugarland to take the stage. An announcer alerted them that severe weather was possible and gave instructions on what to do if necessary. The announcer also said organisers hoped the show would go on, so many stayed put.

The wind that toppled the rigging came just minutes after that announcement, fans said.

“It was like it was in slow motion,” concert-goer Amy Weathers told the Indianapolis Star. “You couldn’t believe it was actually happening.”