INDIANAPOLIS – A fifth person has died in the collapse of an outdoor concert stage in heavy winds just before a weekend show at the Indiana State Fair, authorities said yesterday.
More than 40 people were injured in the collapse on Saturday night, Indiana State Police said.The collapse occurred just minutes before country duo Sugarland was to begin performing. Concert officials had informed spectators the show might have to be postponed due to the winds, but a strong gust blew the stage over before any official evacuation order was issued.
Authorities had initially put the death toll at four. One of those killed was stagehand Nate Byrd (52), who was on the stage at the time of the incident. Other named victims were Alina Bigjohny (23) of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Christina Santiago (29) of Chicago, Illinois, and Indianapolis residents Tammy Vandam (42) and Glenn Goodrich (49). An amateur video posted on YouTube showed a heavy gust of wind blowing down the stage rigging. People in the crowd can be heard screaming. Spectators tried to hold up parts of the collapsed stage that fell into the standing area below to help anyone who might be trapped, eyewitnesses said. The fair was closed yesterday but expected to reopen today.
Sugarland sent a Twitter message about the incident, saying: “We are all right. We are praying for our fans, and the people of Indianapolis. We hope you’ll join us. They need your strength.” The Hoosier Lottery Grandstand at the state fairgrounds can seat more than 15,000 people. – (Reuters)