Bluesfest Stage Collapse at Indiana State Fair Triggers Panic, Leaves Four Dead

Severe weather left four dead when high winds blew concert scaffolding onto the front rows, as the country band waited to take the stage. Dozens were reportedly injured according to reports, and an eyewitness who works for WANE-TV in Fort Wayne, Ind., described the harrowing scene pictured in the video above.


"The wind just picked up and the stage just caught and the roof just caught and it went up like a sail and then it crashed forward into the people standing in the front. There were people trapped underneath and everyone was running and screaming," said Kirby Ehler of local NewsChannel 15. "They were asking any medics or nurses not to leave."


The National Weather Service had issued a hazardous weather alert for central Indiana, warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms. The alert stated, "thunderstorms may be severe with damaging winds and large hail as the main threats." Adding, "the storms will also produce dangerous lightning and brief heavy rainfall."


Reportedly wind gusts of 60 to 70 miles per hour struck the area causing the collapse as thousands of fans waited for the headliners to take the stage.


Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said the injured were being tended at Riley Hospital, Methodist Hospital of Indianapolis and Wishard Memorial Hospital.


The Indianapolis Department of Public Safety has launched a probe into the accident. The gusty winds that blew on Saturday registered speed up to 70 mph.


Concertgoers were warned of bad weather but nobody expected a thunderstorm and gusty winds to blow by as the Sugarland performance drew closer.


Everything happened in an instant without warning. When the stage collapsed, chaos ensued and screams pierced the air as the concertgoers scrambled for the exits. "We didn't expect this to happen. Some rain, yes. But none of us were prepared for the storm," said concertgoer Joe Hernandez. Joe was only 20 feet away from the stage when it collapsed. "It happened all of a sudden. The sky got black, suddenly there was this strong wind and the stage fell," he said.


One of the dead was a 7-year old boy who had come to watch the Sugarland duo.


The fair organizer said an announcer had reviewed safety and evacuation procedures for the concertgoers in case an emergency situation arose.


Sugarland singer-songwriters duo Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush, who were supposed to headline the bluesfest, were left shocked and extremely saddened by the incident. "“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 duo tweeted.


Sara Bareilles, the evening’s other star performer, tweeted she was "safe" but left "speechless" by the incident.
"Fortunately we are all safe, but a tragic stage accident has injured some folks in indiana. Our prayers are with them and their families.


"I'm speechless and feel so helpless. Please send love and prayers to Indianapolis tonight. My heart aches for the lives lost," she tweeted.


None of the performers were hurt by the accident. At the time of reporting, the fair organizer did not say whether future concerts will take place at the 17-day fair as scheduled. Janet Jackson is set to perform on Aug. 17, Train and Maroon 5 are scheduled for Aug. 18, and Lady Antebellum for Aug. 19.