Perilous
Times
At least four killed and 40 injured when stage collapses at
Indiana state fair
At least four people were killed and 40 injured when a stage
structure collapsed at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
The incident occurred late on Saturday night when a wind gust
brought down the stage rigging prepared for a country music
concert shortly before 9:00 pm (0100 GMT Sunday), police said.
WTHR television put the number of injured at about 46.
Nobody was performing at the stage when the tragedy occurred.
Witnesses said the opening act had finished, and the crowd was
waiting for the country music band Sugarland to begin its concert.
"All of the sudden there was a second gust and the stage started
to twist slowly. The grandstand started to shake. Everyone started
to run instantly to try and get out," eyewitness Jason Scofield
told WTHR.
Emergency crews and fans quickly converged on the collapsed stage
and worked to free those who were trapped, the Indianapolis Star
newspapers reported. The wounded were being treated at
Indianapolis area hospitals.
"The response was excellent not just from first responders but
from participants, people that were attending the event," said
Frank Straub, of the local Department of Public Safety. "When the
structure came down, people at the event worked with emergency
providers tried to lift the structure to help people underneath."
The group Sugarland expressed its condolences to the families of
the victims through a Twitter message.
"We are praying for our fans, and the people of Indianapolis, the
groups said. "We hope you'll join us. They need your strength."