Dozen injured: High school concert takes frightening turn as stage collapses
Dozen injured: High school concert takes frightening turn as stage collapses
As a high school girl, surrounded by her classmates, belted out the lyrics to "Don't Stop Believin'," the stage they were dancing on gave way and collapsed. At least one student suffered serious injuries, and authorities estimated 12 were hurt in the incident at Westfield High School in Westfield, Ind. The students were on the stage during the grand finale of the concert dubbed "American Pie." Dramatic video from the audience captured the collapse. Blake Rice, an 18-year-old senior who was playing guitar, said that as the last song began, he took a step back to allow more students onto the stage.
At first, it didn't seem real. It didn't really register with me what happened.
Blake Rice, who saw the stage collapse but did not fall through
The incident evoked memories of a 2011 stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair that killed seven people and injured nearly 100. High winds toppled rigging and sent the stage roof onto fans awaiting the start of a concert by the country duo Sugarland.
