Indianapolis stage collapse: Death toll could rise

[marmar]

Officials in Indianapolis said early Sunday that the toll could rise beyond the four confirmed dead after rigging and scaffolding collapsed onto a crowd waiting for the country band Sugarland to perform at the Indiana State Fair.

“I want to be very forthcoming -- we could have other deaths,” said Indiana State Police Sgt. Rich Myers. “We hope everyone will be praying for the injured.”

In a dramatic scene captured on a YouTube video, the towering stage equipment tumbled forward onto fans against a backdrop of darkened skies, a massive dust storm and gusty winds. One woman could be heard saying, “Oh my God, oh my God!”

“It was like it was in slow motion,” concertgoer Amy Weathers told the Indianapolis Star. “You couldn't believe it was actually happening.” ............(more)

The complete piece is at: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/08/indianapolis-stage-collapse-death-toll-could-rise.html

[Amerigo Vespucci]

1. In light of the recent incident with Cheap Trick...

...it looks like we are long overdue for a mass inspection of the fair circuit. People cut corners to cut expenses and people get hurt, people die. How many more of these stories do we need before measures are put in place to prevent this kind of thing from happening?

[marmar]

2. And I suspect the number of safety inspectors has dropped.

nt

[ProdigalJunkMail]

3. i know you didn't write the headline

but this was not a 'Sugarland concert accident'...it was an Indian State Fair accident. That stage was used for much more than the band's concert.

sP

[marmar]

4. True, it was a bad headline....I'll replace it with my own.

nt

[ProdigalJunkMail]

5. no no...it's ok...you took it from the article

but it is just an indication of the state of reporting...

sP

[marmar]

6. Agreed. Headline writing can be absolutely atrocious sometimes.

nt

[90-percent]

7. State Fair Dangers

Also, those traveling circuses with ferris wheels and mechanical rides are nomadic and may not be subject to much regulation. I suspect their safety record does not come close to permanent amusement structures.

I don't have a lot of facts to back this up, however. I hope somebody comes by here that does.

-Jim

PS - first hit on a google search of "amusement park accidents"

http://www.rideaccidents.com/

[WhiteTara]

8. We don't need no stinking regulations!

We don't need rules about how things work! Let anyone build those things and watch the mayhem.