VICTIMS OF INDIANA STATE FAIR STAGE COLLAPSE IDENTIFIED, LATER HONORED AT CEREMONY
The Indiana State Fair re-opened today following a Deadly Sugarland Concert Accident Saturday. Indiana's governor as well as Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard were among the officials who participated in a memorial service for the victims of the tragic accident. The Indiana Personal Injury Attorneys at Crossen Kooi have now learned the identities of those five victims. They are 42 year old Tammy Vandam of Wanatah, 49 year old Glenn Goodrich of Indianapolis, 23 year old Alina Bigjohny of Fort Wayne, 29 year old Christina Santiago of Chicago, and 51 year old Nathan Byrd of Indianapolis. Additionally, more than 40 people were hurt when the stage collapsed.
Byrd was the 5th person to die from the Concert Accident. He passed away Sunday at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was a spotlight operator who was up in the rigging at the time the stage fell. Indiana Workers Compensation issues are not confirmed. However, workers who are hurt or fatally injured while on the job are often entitled to Work Comp benefits.
Indianapolis Concert Accident Lawyers are also learning more about the other four victims. Bigjohny was a recent Manchester College graduate who was about to start a teaching job at a middle school in Muncie. Goodrich leaves behind a wife and two sons. He spent about two decades working security. Santiago had driven down from Chicago for the Sugarland concert. She was a manager at the Community Care Project at Howard Brown Health Center. Vandam was a mother who was attending the concert as part of a belated birthday celebration.
As for why the stage at the Indiana State Fair's Main Grandstand collapsed, many agencies are looking into this. Indiana State Police and Marion County authorities are taking the reins on the investigation. Also, officials with the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration are examining the company who put up the rigging, Mid-America Sound Corporation. A company engineer from Tennessee was also said to be set to investigate the collapse. IOSHA is often involved in Indiana Workers Compensation cases.
The weather appears to have played a big role in the Concert Accident. A severe thunderstorm warning had been in place before the accident happened shortly before 9PM. Extremely strong winds preceded the rain. The National Weather Service estimates wind gusts reached 60-70 mph. Conflicting reports exist on what concert goers where told about the weather and evacuation plans in a message just minutes before the wind kicked up.
Experienced Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers can assist victims who are injured during an accident whether that accident was while at work or while at a concert. Victims need to take important steps shortly after their accident to ensure they receive the proper care and compensation. The Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorneys at Crossen Kooi can guide victims through that process. If you or someone you love was hurt or died from an accident, contact the Indiana Personal Injury Lawyers for a FREE consultation.
