Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog

Indiana Lawyer and Indianapolis Attorneys at Crossen Kooi have learned that four Sugarland concert goers are dead and at least 43 are reported to have been injured when a gust front blew through the Indiana State Fair Grounds at approximately 8:55 Saturday night. Local meteorologists are reporting that a gust front (the leading edge of cool air rushing down and out from a thunderstorm) may have reached speeds in excess of 70+ mph. Several concert goers being interviewed by local media were reporting that while a concert employee advised them that bad weather was in the area, fans were being told that Sugarland would be coming on in a few minutes and if or when an evacuation was necessary, fans were to head towards the Pepsi Coliseum or other buildings in the area.

Fans at the State Fair grounds were reporting that as the winds blew in, dust and sand from the surrounding horse track encompassed the concert area. Those near the stage reported hearing cracking and crushing noise and shortly thereafter the rigging around the stage collapsed. At least four members of the concert crew were up in the rigging at the time of the collapse and many fans were pinned underneath the rigging and video and audio equipment. In video images showing the collapse, several workers can be seen attempting to jump from the rigging as it fell. The condition of these workers are not known at this time. video of the Concert could be seen at IndyChannel.com

Injuries to the victims ranged from fractures and lacerations to skull and head injuries. The youngest victim known at this time, a three year old little girl, was attended to by a local physician that was in the front row at the time of the collapse. They physician reported that she had a severe injury to her arm and he did not see anyone else with the child when he found her and attempted to stabilize her arm. Another seven year old child was reportedly taken to Riley Children's Hospital. Several people were taking to social media outlets like Twitter and Facebook in an attempt to locate their love ones. Sixteen of the victims were transported to Wishard Hospital with at least eight being taken to Methodist. Hospital officials are reporting that all on-duty personnel have been called to Wishard to assist. Three of the victims, including the seven year old, were taken to Riley. There were no further confirmed reports on the condition of the unidentified three year old with the arm injury.

While initial reports coming in claiming as many as 200 people were injured from the accident, an official at Wishard Hospital told local media that those numbers were likely too high. As the reports continue to progress, however, there were numerous reports of individuals walking into area hospitals with injuries.

There was a very short press briefing following the the accident, where Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard praised first responders working at the scene claiming "[e]verything has been very well coordinated to respond to this event". Officials, including the Indiana State Police, advised that they intend to have a press conference on Sunday to provide updates on the situation. Stay with us on IndyFirm.com for all the recent information on this very fluid situation.