Have you all heard about what happened at the Indiana State Fair over the weekend?

jettagurl

Just curious what your thoughts are...I know it has made national news, so who do you think is to blame? True "Act of God"?  They should have evacuated? Concert-goers are responsible to leave as they see fit? 

Here is a timeline of events...

 https://ftpcontent.worldnow.com/wthr/PDF/timeline.pdf

And an article from local news ....

 https://www.fox59.com/news/wxin-stage-collapses-at-fairgrounds-several-injured-20110813,0,6981323.column

AnnapolisLari

DH is an event professional who does lots of stage sets. He thinks that it was a top heavy set without enough ground support and outriggers. The circular truss in the middle needs lots of attachment points.  The roof essentially became a sail that twisted the whole thing out of shape.

I think that you do have some responsibilty as an attendee to pay attention to the weather and get yourself to a safe place.

belle204

Very sad. My high school friend lost his 5 yr old son in a freak accident at an air show a few years ago. There was sudden storm and they didn't secure the tents properly and one of those huge ac/generator things fell on him ... my friend said he remembers seeing it falling and trying to catch stop it and shield his son. They were under the tents for protection. Stuff like that breaks my heart.

shopgirl78

I really don't like placing fault in a situation like this.  It just sets up litigation.  But I guess the question would be:  Did the Indiana State Fair personnel know that the structure would be unsound in high winds?   That would define negligence. Otherwise as a party go-er you do have to assume responsibility for yourself and use common sense on whether its safe to stay or go.  At some point, you assume a risk.  

Really above all, I think its just a tragic accident.  

ali2005jason

It truly does suck and I'm sorry for all person's involved. But as far as blame? Could it have been secured better, probably. Should the people have moved away, probably. But as my husband and I have been discussing (everytime we turn on the news here...) no one can predict a straight line wind. Yes they announced a warning but no one knew the wind was going to come and blow so hard to knock something down. It's very tragic.

ghm

shopgirl78:

I really don't like placing fault in a situation like this.  It just sets up litigation.  But I guess the question would be:  Did the Indiana State Fair personnel know that the structure would be unsound in high winds?   That would define negligence. Otherwise as a party go-er you do have to assume responsibility for yourself and use common sense on whether its safe to stay or go.  At some point, you assume a risk.  

Really above all, I think its just a tragic accident.  

Yep