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Indiana State Fair Tragedy's Death Toll Rises to Seven

Darron Cummings, AP

The death toll from the stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair will today rise to seven. The family of 24-year-old Meagan Toothman, a cheerleading coach from Ohio, says they have decided to "allow her to be at peace." Meagan suffered severe brain injuries when hit by the scaffolding that came crashing down in the almost 80 mile per hour winds, just minutes before Sugarland were set to take the stage. She has been on life support since the tragedy, and her family has signed off on an organ donation surgery today (August 22).

Five people died at the scene of the August 13 tragedy, and one other passed away from her injuries this past Friday, August 19. Sugarland paid tribute to the victims with a moment of silence at their show last week in Albuquerque, N.M.

"I am sure that by now all of you are well aware of the tragedy that occurred at the Indiana State Fair on Saturday," Sugarland lead singer Jennifer Nettles said from the stage. "Moments before we were about to take the stage, a huge gust of wind blew in and collapsed the entire stage, wounding over forty people and killing five. In honor of those people who were wounded, and those beautiful lives that were lost, we ask that you would stand now and join us in a moment of silence."

Jake Schoellkopf, AP


While several lawsuits are pending on behalf of the victims and their families, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels believes unpredictable weather is the only thing to blame.

"This is the finest event of its kind in America," Daniels said (quote via ABC affiliate WJLA). "And this desperately sad, as far as I can tell fluke event, doesn't change that."

Sugarland are planning a private memorial for families of the victims. "Until that time we are holding vigil for them," the duo say. "We join them on their mourning benches. And we stand in the gap asking God to offer them peace and healing. For those suffering from injury, we hold you up with prayers for complete healing of your own."



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Debbie

We can blame the weatherman, Sugarland, the announcer at the concert, the stage setup crew, the people that stayed to see the concert even though they were warned about possible bad weather. The list can go on of the people that can be blamed, but the truth is that this was an unexpected act of nature. We need to stop blaming, and instead think of the people that lost their lives and the injured people and their families. My thoughts go out to those families.

August 23 2011 at 3:37 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
dimag56in41

there IS a reason SEAT BELTS were made.....and those COVERED ARENA'S that are anchored into the ground.

however....what happened in Indy could happen ANYWHERE....ANYTIME...just ask the folks in NEW ORLEANS.

August 22 2011 at 9:52 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
LINDAMOM2000

This is so sad for all involved and us. I applaud the parents for giving their daughter's organs so others may benefit and I hope it gives them some comfort in their grief...thank you.

August 22 2011 at 8:03 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Shane

The only worse fate would be sitting through a Sugarland concert.

August 22 2011 at 7:48 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Shane's comment
Martin

hahahaha a good one .

August 22 2011 at 9:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
fpfininc

if I'm in my Ford when a tornedo hits it and I'm killed, do I sue Ford and the UAW, and the Highway Patrol ?? oops, and Shell Oil, as that's the last gas I bought, if I'm leaving out anyone, please help me with your suggestions

August 22 2011 at 7:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to fpfininc's comment
dchamner3

you could also sue your church because God didn't take care of you like they said

August 22 2011 at 7:30 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
William J

Reasonable medical bills, sure. I'll even go with funeral expenses. Stretch it one step further and pay counselling fees for those who need it.. Otherwise you get zip. The individual has to accept that bad things will happen in life.

August 22 2011 at 6:23 PM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
Jumper

YOU PEOPLE DON'T HAVE A FRICKIN CLUE. SUGARLAND INSISTED ON HANGING THERE ENTIRE ARENA SHOW UNDER AN OUTDOOR PORTABLE ROOF. THAT MOVE WAS ENTIRELY ABOUT EGO. THE WEATHER CAUSED THE COLLAPSE BUT THE AMOUNT OF UNECESARY WEIGHT CAUSED THE ROOF TO FALL MUCH HARDER AND THE MOMENTUM OF THE WEIGHT CAUSED IT TO FALL MUUUUCCCH FARTHER INTO THE AUDIENCE. WITH A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF WEIGHT IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT THERE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SO MANY KILLED AND INJURED. I HAVE BEEN IN THE OUTDOOR CONCET BUISNESS FOR OVER 30 YRS. sURE THEY ARE SAD BUT PARTLY BECAUSE THERE OWN SELF CENTERD EGO'S CONTRIBUTED TO THE FATALITIES!

August 22 2011 at 6:21 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
4 replies to Jumper's comment
s5cat2dog

It must be costing the singer a lot of money already for her sex-change operation.

August 22 2011 at 6:13 PM Report abuse -5 rate up rate down Reply
Karine

It is still hard for me to believe that they did not postpone this concert..

August 22 2011 at 6:05 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
jerettnmelanie

I am sorry for the families that lost loved ones...but yet again, when are people going to stop blaming other people for their tragedies....Everyone that was there, saw how bad the weather was, why did they not take it upon themselves to leave the area....When I am outside, and big winds, rain, tornado etc...come up...I get indoors....it is called common sense. So these people who are suing the fair, I hope their family member's lives are worth what you might get....yet again...lets sue, to make money.....sad, sad, just so sad...

August 22 2011 at 6:01 PM Report abuse +3 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to jerettnmelanie's comment
krckett26

Just to let you know, the weather didn't seem that bad. The clouds started rolling in and THEN the winds picked up and the STORM itself didn't come for another 25 minutes. The stage fell at 8:44 and the storm hit at 9:15. The annoucer told the audience "we are going to do our best to get sugarland on stage tonight, but in case we need it there is an evacuation plan" So I'm sure most of my fellow hoosiers had plenty of common sense, it was TIME to get out of the way they were lacking.

August 22 2011 at 7:35 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply