Indiana State Fair To Re-Open Monday With Memorial Ceremony After 5 Killed At Concert
Aug. 15 2011, Published 9:30 a.m. ET
The Indiana State Fair re-opens Monday with a public memorial service for the five people killed Saturday night, after high winds of 60 to 70 mph caused a concert stage to collapse, with an estimated 12,000 people in attendance to see the country music duo Sugarland perform.
More than 40 people were hospitalized after the disaster, authorities said.
Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles posted an emotional statement to the band's website Sunday, saying she was "so moved" by the incident for a variety of reasons.
"Moved by the grief of those families who lost loved ones," Nettles said. "Moved by the pain of those who were injured and the fear of their families.
"Moved by the great heroism as I watched so many brave Indianapolis fans actually run toward the stage to try and help lift and rescue those injured. Moved by the quickness and organization of the emergency workers who set up the triage and tended to the injured.
“There are no words to process a moment of this magnitude and gravity. There are only prayers for peace in the hearts of the bereft, and prayers of thanksgiving for those who were spared or safe," Nettles wrote. "A piece of our heart is left in that grandstand."
“May God provide peace and healing to the people of Indianapolis.”
Watch the video on RadarOnline.com
Sugarland's opening act at the event, Sara Bareilles, wrote on her website, "The accident at the Indiana State Fair felt like a bad dream.
"The weather changed in a matter of minutes and the stage collapsed in a matter of seconds."
The victims of the tragedy are: Alina Bigjohny, 23, of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Christina Santiago, 29, of Chicago, Illinois; Tammy Vandam, 42, of Wanatah, Indiana; and Nathan Byrd, 51, and Glenn Goodrich, 49, both from Indianapolis, Indiana.
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