Travel News
Sudden Storm Kills Five at Indiana State Fair When Stage Collapses
State fairs are a popular summer travel destination, but a fatal accident over the weekend at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis calls into question the safety of these large gatherings.
On Saturday night, just before the band Sugarland took to the main stage at the fair, a strong gust of wind knocked over parts of the stage rigging. While around 40 people were injured, there were five fatalities. Four people died at the scene and a fifth person passed away in the hospital that night.
Several other concert goers sustained critical head or neck injuries, but most injuries were just broken bones, bruises or lacerations. Eighteen people were treated at the local hospital, including one 7-year-old child.
The storm’s sudden onset and unexpected force exacerbated the accident. Just moments before the stage’s collapse, officials had announced that the concert might be postponed and that concertgoers should head indoors and return after the storm had passed. Most of the crowd was still outside when the 60 m.p.h. winds hit.
The strong winds caused parts of the stage to collapse on the VIP area, known to Sugarland fans as the “Sugar Pit.” In a press conference the next day, Indiana Governor Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr., praised the many fair attendees who “ran to the trouble, not from the trouble” to help those trapped underneath the stage.
State officials are beginning to question if the accident could have been prevented. The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm watch for all of Indiana at 6 p.m, about three hours before incident. The nature of such a warning indicates that people should take precautions and be inside.
Learn how to keep yourself safe on the road with articles from our Travel Safety & Security section
Indiana State Police 1st Sgt. Dave Bursten in a press conference explained that fair officials and emergency personnel had been watching the weather in anticipation of a storm hitting at 9:15 p.m. Evacuation preparations were in the works, but the storm hit suddenly before the evacuation plan was activated.
In addition to the sudden weather shift, officials are also investigating the stage’s collapse. The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the state fire marshal’s office are looking into the rigging, which was assembled by local workers and supplied by an outside company, the Mid-America Sound Corporation, which is also launching an independent internal investigation into the incident.
The Indiana State Fair, which runs from August 5 through August 21, is one the largest summer tourist attractions in the state and is a main source of seasonal income for many businesses. Following the incident, the fair was closed on Sunday, August 14. It reopen this morning with a service on the fairgrounds to remember the dead.
The Red Cross has been issuing safety recommendations for state fairs this summer. This incident further belies the importance of the Red Cross’ warning to, “pay attention to local weather forecasts for weather updates and warnings.”
Beyond watching the weather, to have a safe state fair experience, visitors should also obey basic summer heat precautions. The Red Cross and the Center for Disease Control encourage visitors to drink plenty of water, wear sunscreen, wear lose light color clothes, and take breaks from the sun. In addition, visitors must follow the safety guidelines for each ride and never get off a moving ride.
By Lily J. Kosner for PeterGreenberg.com.
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