Legal news for personal injury attorneys in Canada. A outdoor stage at the Big Valley Jamboree Country Music Festival collapses in a severe thunderstorm.
Personal injury attorneys in Canada alert-An outdoor stage at Canadian country music festival leaves one dead and 75 concert attendees injured.
Edmonton, Alberta—A severe unexpected thunderstorm ripped down an outdoor stage at the Big Valley Jamboree Country Music Festival leaving one dead and 75 others injured. The thunderstorm struck on Saturday August 1, 2009 at 6 p.m., as reported by The New York Times.
An estimated 15,000 fans were in attendance of the country music festival when strong winds and heavy rains hit, causing thousands of fans to run for cover. Billy Currington, a Nashville-based band was on stage when the storm came through, which blew out the power and ripped down the stage they were playing on. One of Currington’s band members had to be pulled out from underneath the collapsed stage, and suffered a broken arm in the fall.Actor Kevin Costner and his band, Modern West, was about to perform next when the outdoor stage folded from underneath them. Both Costner and his band manager were trapped underneath the stage but did not suffer any injuries. Officials of the Big Valley Jamboree stated they had little notice about the incoming storm, but when they were informed, officials immediately cleared the performers from the stage to make an announcement to concert attendees to exit the concert bowl. Witnesses stated when the severe storm struck you could see musical instruments, chairs and other debris flying through the air. The unexpected storm left one woman, identified as Donna Moore of Lloydminster, dead after being hit by the flying debris. Camrose police reported another 21 people were injured and transported by emergency medical service (EMS) crews to area hospitals for treatment of their injuries. Two of the injured victims are reportedly in critical condition. In addition, dozens of other victims were treated at the scene by EMS personnel and were released. Officials state it is unclear why the stage collapsed. Mangers of the music festival cancelled all performances for Sunday, which was the closing day of the festival.
Legal News Reporter: Nicole Howley-Legal news for personal injury lawyers in Canada.
