Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

4 Dead After Stage Collapses at Indiana Fair

High winds topple it just before Sugarland performs

By the Associated Press

Posted Aug 13, 2011 11:03 PM CDT

(AP) – At least four people were killed tonight when a stage collapsed during a storm at the Indiana State Fair, where the country group Sugarland was set to perform. The number of injured has risen to 40, with injuries ranging from mild to serious. Strong winds caused the stage rigging for the outdoor concert to collapse about 9pm, trapping and injuring concert-goers at the fairgrounds in Indianapolis.

No one was performing at the time. The opening act had finished, and the crowd was waiting for Sugarland to take the stage. The collapse came as thousands of concert-goers were being evacuated from the fairground grandstand to a nearby coliseum because of the worsening weather. The stage rigging fell onto an area where fans were seated.

Family members tend to their injured relatives. (AP Photo/The Indianapolis Star, Matt Kryger)

Indianapolis Fire Department personnel and paramedics tend to the victims. (AP Photo/The Indianapolis Star, Matt Kryger)

Concert goers sit inside the Pepsi Coliseum after high winds caused the stage to collapse. (AP Photo/The Indianapolis Star, Matt Kryger)

Family members tend to their injured relatives. (AP Photo/The Indianapolis Star, Matt Kryger)

Fans waiting to see Sugarland attempt to hold up the stage after high winds blew it stage over at the Indiana State Fair Grandstands. (AP Photo/The Indianapolis Star, Matt Kryger)

Fans waiting to see Sugarland flee after high winds blew the stage over at the Indiana State Fair. (AP Photo/The Indianapolis Star, Matt Kryger)

High winds blew over the stage at the Indiana State Fair. (AP Photo/The Indianapolis Star, Matt Kryger)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

CLICK BELOW TO VOTE

59%

31%

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Did the Indiana State Fair Tragedy Have to Happen?

Officials begin probe into stage collapse that killed 5

(NEWSER) - State officials are investigating Saturday's Indiana State Fair stage collapse in an effort to determine if there was any way the tragedy, which killed five people, could have been avoided. "I'm not clear how anyone could have foreseen a sudden, highly localized blast of wind," said Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who praised both fair officials and the National Weather Service for monitoring the weather accurately, noting that the wind gusts came ahead of the predicted storm. However, the Indianapolis Star notes that 15 miles away, fans waiting to watch an outdoor performance of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra were asked to go back to their cars at 8:15pm—more than 30 minutes before the deadly wind gust hit the state fair stage. More»

Fifth Person Dies in Indiana Stage Collapse

More from the mayhem at the Indiana State Fair last night

(NEWSER) - A stage collapsed during a powerful storm at the Indiana State Fair last night, sending steel scaffolding into the terrified crowd and killing at least five people awaiting a performance by the country band Sugarland. Indiana State Police 1st Sgt David Bursten said today that four people died when the collapse happened and a fifth person died overnight at a hospital. At least 45 people were injured and treated at hospitals. Bursten said the injuries ranged from cuts and scrapes to "very serious injuries." More»

Tour Manager's Intuition Saved Sugarland

Hellen Rollens held band backstage

(NEWSER) - As she looked at the sky Saturday night, Sugarland tour manager Hellen Rollens decided to go with her intuition and hold the band backstage. One minute later, wind gusts sent the Indiana State Fair stage crashing down into the audience , killing five and injuring dozens. "As a tour manager, it's super important to understand what the weather conditions are when you play outside," the band's manager tells the AP. She adds that others thought it would be safe to go onstage, so Rollens' "decision to hold them for literally a minute saved every band member and crew's life." More»

Stage Builder Cited, Fined $63K in Indiana Collapse

Mid-America Sound Corp. showed "plain indifference" to safety standards

(AP) - The company that built the stage ahead of last summer's deadly Indiana State Fair collapse showed "plain indifference" to safety standards, according to the state Labor Department. Mid-America Sound Corp. has been cited with three major safety violations in connection with the Aug. 13 collapse that killed seven and left 58 injured. "The evidence demonstrated that the Mid-America Sound Corp. was aware of the appropriate requirements and demonstrated a plain indifference to complying with those requirements," an official told reporters at the release of an Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration report on the collapse. More»

Stage Collapse Lawsuit to Test Gay Marriage Law

Beth Urschel suing Indiana over death of Tammy Van Dam

(NEWSER) - The tragic Indiana State Fair stage collapse could have political implications: Beth Urschel is suing the state, as well as three companies, in the death of Tammy Van Dam, whom she married in Hawaii. But since gay marriage is illegal in Indiana, the $50 million lawsuit will test the state’s treatment of same-sex couples, the Wall Street Journal notes. In Indiana, only next of kin or a spouse of the victim can benefit from a wrongful death suit. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

4 Dead After Stage Collapses at Indiana Fair

High winds topple it just before Sugarland performs

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Indiana • Indianapolis • collapse • state fair • Sara Bareilles • Sugarland • Indiana State Fair

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Did the Indiana State Fair Tragedy Have to Happen?

Officials begin probe into stage collapse that killed 5

Fifth Person Dies in Indiana Stage Collapse

More from the mayhem at the Indiana State Fair last night

Tour Manager's Intuition Saved Sugarland

Hellen Rollens held band backstage

Stage Builder Cited, Fined $63K in Indiana Collapse

Mid-America Sound Corp. showed "plain indifference" to safety standards

Stage Collapse Lawsuit to Test Gay Marriage Law

Beth Urschel suing Indiana over death of Tammy Van Dam

About Us

Site

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?