Indiana State Fair

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Stage Builder Cited, Fined $63K in Indiana Collapse

Mid-America Sound Corp. showed "plain indifference" to safety standards

(Newser) - The company that built the stage ahead of last summer's deadly Indiana State Fair collapse showed "plain indifference" to safety standards, according to the state Labor Department. Mid-America Sound Corp. has been cited with three major safety violations in connection with the Aug. 13 collapse that killed seven...

Stage Collapse Lawsuit to Test Gay Marriage Law

Beth Urschel suing Indiana over death of Tammy Van Dam

(Newser) - The tragic Indiana State Fair stage collapse could have political implications: Beth Urschel is suing the state, as well as three companies, in the death of Tammy Van Dam, whom she married in Hawaii. But since gay marriage is illegal in Indiana, the $50 million lawsuit will test the state’...

Woman 7th to Die in Indiana Stage Collapse

Cheerleading coach Meagan Toothman was 24

(Newser) - An Ohio cheerleading coach has become the seventh fatality in the Indiana State Fair stage collapse. Meagan Toothman, 24, died Saturday night from injuries sustained in the disaster, police said. She worked as a coach at her old high school while pursuing a master’s degree in counseling, the Indianapolis ...

6th Person Dead in Indiana Stage Collapse

College senior Jennifer Haskell dies from her injuries

(Newser) - A 22-year-old college student died today from injuries suffered in last weekend's stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair. Jennifer Haskell, a senior at Ball State University, was one of dozens injured in Saturday's disaster. Her best friend, 23-year-old Alina Bigjohny of Fort Wayne, was one of four...

Possible Culprit in Stage Disaster: 'Gustnado'

Swirling wind ahead of thunderstorm might be to blame

(Newser) - As Indiana officials investigate safety protocol in the wake of the state fair stage disaster that killed five , meteorologists are debating whether an obscure phenomenon known as a "gustnado" is to blame. A gustnado is a "brief wind that swirls on the leading edge of a severe thunderstorm,...

Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse: Tour Manager's Intuition Likely Saved Sugarland
 Tour Manager's Intuition 
 Saved Sugarland 
stage collapse
Aug 16, 2011 7:39 AM CDT

Tour Manager's Intuition Saved Sugarland

Hellen Rollens held band backstage

(Newser) - As she looked at the sky Saturday night, Sugarland tour manager Hellen Rollens decided to go with her intuition and hold the band backstage. One minute later, wind gusts sent the Indiana State Fair stage crashing down into the audience , killing five and injuring dozens. "As a tour manager,...

Indiana State Fair Open After Tragedy

Visitors mourn those lost in stage collapse

(Newser) - A somber crowd made its way into the reopened state fair today following Saturday night's deadly stage collapse, which shuttered the fair yesterday. The large stage remained in ruins, surrounded by yellow police tape, but a smaller one hosted a memorial for the five lost in the disaster. “...

Did the Indiana State Fair Tragedy Have to Happen?

Officials begin probe into stage collapse that killed 5

(Newser) - State officials are investigating Saturday's Indiana State Fair stage collapse in an effort to determine if there was any way the tragedy, which killed five people, could have been avoided. "I'm not clear how anyone could have foreseen a sudden, highly localized blast of wind," said...

Fifth Person Dies in Indiana Stage Collapse

More from the mayhem at the Indiana State Fair last night

(Newser) - A stage collapsed during a powerful storm at the Indiana State Fair last night, sending steel scaffolding into the terrified crowd and killing at least five people awaiting a performance by the country band Sugarland. Indiana State Police 1st Sgt David Bursten said today that four people died when the...

4 Dead After Stage Collapses at Indiana Fair

High winds topple it just before Sugarland performs

(Newser) - At least four people were killed tonight when a stage collapsed during a storm at the Indiana State Fair, where the country group Sugarland was set to perform. The number of injured has risen to 40, with injuries ranging from mild to serious. Strong winds caused the stage rigging for...

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