Matt Kryger / AP
Fans waiting to see Sugerland run away after high winds blew the stage over and onto fans sitting in the track of the Indiana State Fair Grandstands Saturday night.
Published Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011 | 6:56 p.m.
Updated Saturday, Aug. 13, 2011 | 10:25 p.m.
INDIANAPOLIS — Authorities say they have confirmed at least four deaths after a stage collapsed during a storm at the Indiana State Fair, where country act Sugarland was set to perform.
Indiana State Police said the number of people hurt has risen to about 40, with their injuries ranging from minor to serious. The incident happened Saturday night at the fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
Strong winds caused the stage rigging for the outdoor concert to collapse, trapping and injuring concert-goers shortly before 9 p.m.
Witnesses say no one was performing at the time. The opening act had finished, and the crowd was waiting for Sugarland to take the stage.
The collapse came as some fans were leaving to seek shelter. An evacuation had not yet been ordered.
Emergency crews were called to the scene. Workers set up a command center to tend to those who were injured.
"It was like it was in slow motion," concert-goer Amy Weathers told the Indianapolis Star. "You couldn't believe it was actually happening."
Those who were injured were being moved to a tunnel below the stage, the Star reported. A hole was being dug to try to reach those trapped beneath the rigging.
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