4 dead, 40+ hurt at indiana state fair. (Stage collapse. Sugarland Concert)

[Contrary1]

:cry:

INDIANAPOLIS -- At least four people were killed and 40 people were injured in a stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair during a severe thunderstorm on Saturday night.

The Marion County Coroner's Office confirmed the fatalities. Indianapolis firefighters said the collapse happened just before 9 p.m. as Sugarland, a country music act, was preparing to perform.

Deputy Coroner Alfie Ballew told 6News that there could be more fatalities. Information about the people who died wasn't immediately released.

Officials said the collapse happened as winds estimated at 60 to 70 mph buffeted the stage. A severe thunderstorm warning had been issued for Marion County at the time of the collapse.

More: http://www.theindychannel.com/news/28858836/detail.html

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdpzTOTo_UI

[Fleshdancer]

1. WTF is going on with stages?

I swear I've read several stage collapse stories lately which is freakin' crazy and completely unnecessary. WTF is going on? Lax standards? Weird coincidence??

[Contrary1]

3. Someone stated that the canvas tarp which was used as a "roof" to the stage

acted like a kite when the wind hit it, pulling the whole thing down.

Folks in the VIP section took the brunt of the impact. Many have serious head injuries. A doctor who was there to see the show stated he saw more than four dead...two were found under a giant speaker.

[myrna minx]

2. How awful.

:-(

[sueh]

4. Wow.