Sugarland’s concert at the Indiana State Fairgrounds ended in tragedy after four people were killed and 40 injured when a stage collapsed. High wind gusts measuring up to 60 mph caused the collapse of the stage minutes before Sugarland was scheduled to perform.
According to Indystar.com, some of the concert crowd had already left the stadium area and were gathered in a nearby building to wait out the storm when the gust caused the stage rigging to topple down on an area where fans were still seated.
Shortly after the tragic event, Sugarland tweeted: “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.”
“Fortunately we are all safe, but a tragic stage accident has injured some folks in indiana. Our prayers are with them and their families,” tweeted Sara Bareilles, who had performed earlier in the evening, shortly after the collapse. “I’m speechless and feel so helpless. Please send love and prayers to Indianapolis tonight. My heart aches for the lives lost. #indyiloveu,” she added.
The Indianapolis Department of Public Safety also posted updates to Twitter: “Concerned families about the stage collapse can go the RedCross.org
and look at the list of people who were hurt.” They also confirmed all of the injured concertgoers were taken to Wishard and Methodist hospitals.
Our thoughts go out to everyone involved in this tragedy.
August 14, 2011 Update: The death toll has now risen to 5.
This post was last modified on August 29, 2023 1:51 am