That Indiana state fair stage collapse - decision to evacuate was overruled by sponsor

[malaise]

http://www.indystar.com/article/20110814/NEWS15/108140419/Death-toll-reaches-5-State-Fair-Sugarland-stage-collapse?odyssey=mod|defcon|text|IndyStar.com
<snip>
But the weather near the Indiana State Fairgrounds was starting to get dicey. Backstage, State Police special operations commander Brad Weaver was watching an ugly storm moving in on radar via his smartphone. He and fair Executive Director Cindy Hoye decided it was time to evacuate the crowd.

But a minute later, when WLHK program director Bob Richards addressed the crowd, the word was that the show would go on, and that the crowd should be prepared to find shelter if things changed. Some of the crowd sensed the danger and left without further word. But the majority remained.

Seconds later, a fierce wind blew in from the direction of the midway, kicking up what one witness described as "a canopy of dust."

WLHK was the sponsor of the event. How dare the program director overrule the State police.

Expect lots of law suits.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. "Seconds later"

Sounds like they wouldn't have had time to evacuate even if they had decided to do so.

[malaise]

2. I did wonder about that

:hi:

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. I'm sure there will still be lawsuits

:hi:

[snappyturtle]

4. Yep. Lots of suits. I have to wonder about the stage rigging/construction too.

I've read a couple articles on this today. I noticed no mention of other destruction from the storm at the fair.

[KansDem]

5. I wondered that too

From the article:

In a moment that eyewitnesses described as both terrifying and in slow motion, the massive rigging above the stage bearing lights, sound equipment and at least one crew member swayed menacingly and then came crashing down on the crowd.

and

According to Lindquist, opening act Sara Bareilles finished her set by commenting what a beautiful night it was. Less than 30 minutes later the stage set was on the ground.

A crew member was still in the rigging when it collapsed? Sounds like it wasn't quite finished. And what about the comment, "Less than 30 minutes later the state set was on the ground." It's not clear from the reporting, but are the reporters saying the stage was constructed in less than 30 minutes? Was that enough time? It sounds like the whole operation was undertaken haphazardly.

I hope this tragedy receives a complete and thorough investigation...

[MilesColtrane]

8. Someone on another board said there were four crew members in the rigging when it fell.

They're usually up there during a show operating lights and other mechanical set pieces.

[Scuba]

6. So we have two "government officials" over ruled by a corporate shill....

...I'm assuming the fair director was a government employee...


The OP asks "How dare the program director overrule the State police" which is a good question. Another is, why did the State Police Commander and fair director allow themselves to be over ruled? If they weren't aware that Richards was going to say what he did, they could have taken the mic from him and ordered the audience out.


Yep, lots of law suits.

[Cool Logic]

7. "over ruled by a corporate shill...."

Indeed...a station's week-end sales staff are the movers and shakers of the corporate world...

[malaise]

9. Good question n/t