The governor of the U.S. midwestern state of Indiana, where five people died in the collapse of a concert stage, says what happened was a "freakish accident" that no one could have anticipated.
Governor Mitch Daniels says precautions were taken prior to the severe storm that caused the stage collapse Saturday at a state fairgrounds in Indianapolis. A gust of wind measured between 96 and 112 kilometers per hour blew down the stage on top of a crowd waiting to hear the country music group Sugarland perform.
More than 40 other people were hurt.
The U.S. National Weather Service warned fair officials that a severe storm was bearing down on the fairgrounds. Officials notified fairgoers about the weather over a public address system, but the governor says no one could have predicted such a powerful wind gust.
Sugarland says it is praying for its fans and for the people of Indianapolis. None of the band members was hurt.
State fairs are a summertime tradition in the United States, featuring rides, games, shows, agriculture and farm animals.
US Fair Stage Collapses, Killing Five
