Indiana music festival concert stage collapse claims its fifth victim

A FIFTH person died yesterday from the collapse of an outdoor concert stage in heavy wind just before a weekend show at the Indiana State Fair.

More than 40 people were injured in the collapse on Saturday night, Indiana State Police said.

The collapse occurred just minutes before the country duo Sugarland was set to begin performing. Officials had informed spectators that the show might have to be postponed due to the winds, but a strong gust blew the stage over before any official evacuation order was issued.

Authorities had initially put the death toll at four. One of those killed was stagehand Nate Byrd, 52, who was on the stage at the time of the accident.

Amateur video showed a heavy gust blowing down the stage rigging. People in the crowd can be heard screaming.

Spectators tried to hold up parts of the collapsed stage that fell into the standing area below to help anyone who might be trapped, eyewitnesses said.