This was the scene that over 12,000 concert goers’ at the Indiana State Fair were shocked to witness as the performance stages collapsed this past Saturday, August 13. Sara Bareilles had just left the stage moments before after completing her performance, and fans were eagerly awaiting the next act – Sugarland – to take the stage. Suddenly the stage began to sway, as winds picked up to intense speeds and totally demolished the temporary structure. Labeled a ‘freakish accident’ by Governor Mitch Daniels, thus tragic accident left 5 dead and more than 40 were injured.
Onlookers reported that many actually ran TOWARDS the collapsing structure to try and help those in harm’s way.
On Sunday, a memorial was held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in honor of those who were killed the day before.
“There are no words to process a moment of this magnitude and gravity,” Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles said in a statement posted Sunday on the band’s website. “There are only prayers for peace in the hearts of the bereft, and prayers of thanksgiving for those who were spared or safe. A piece of our heart is left in the grandstand.”
The Indianapolis tragedy was the third such outdoor musical event of the summer in which sudden, heavy winds destroyed all or part of a stage, leading to inquiries and reassessments about what further precautions can be taken to insure the safety of both fans and bands.
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