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On April 23, during a student performance at Westfield High School, the stage the students were performing on collapsed, injuring dozens. Sara Camden
Police are on the scene at Westfield High School after a stage collapsed Thursday evening during a student performance.(Photo: Matt Detrich / The Star)
WESTFIELD, Ind. — More than a dozen people were injured Thursday night when a stage collapsed during a student performance at an area high school, authorities said.
Student performers at Westfield High School had just gathered toward the front of the stage for the last song of the concert when the platform they were standing on gave way, sending them tumbling into the orchestra pit.
Capt. Charles Hollowell of the Westfield Police Department said authorities didn't have an exact number of injuries but were certain more than 12 were hurt. At least one person was critically injured after the stage gave way at Westfield High School, he said.
Hollowell did not have any further information about that person's injuries. No fatalities were reported.
"I was honestly just shocked," said Andrew Baier, a senior at Westfield who was in the auditorium during the incident. "I didn't think that anything like that could happen, especially here at Westfield."
Screams suddenly replaced the sound of singing voices as the students lay in the pit, covered by broken pieces of wood and metal.
The collapse occurred about 10 p.m.
Joe Lyons, fire chief at the Westfield Fire Department, said multiple injuries were reported.
"We were all just trying to figure out what was going on," Baier said. He said he helped an injured woman to her car after the collapse. She had dried blood down her face and had hurt her leg and ankle.
"We were trying to help those who couldn't help themselves," he said.
Multiple ambulances were requested to transport the remaining victims to area hospitals, however, Lyons did not anticipate any of the injured would have to be airlifted from the school.
"Some parents rushed the stage area," said Mandi McKinley Brown, who was also in the auditorium watching the students perform the "American Pie" rock and roll review concert. "Most of us stayed in our seats to stay out of the way. People were lifting large pieces of the stage out of the pit from on top of the kids."
A state fire marshal was at the scene investigating the collapse, said Westfield Mayor Andy Cook.
"We'll look at the cause of what happened here and certainly take every precaution to see that it doesn't happen again."
Cook was at home when he saw a police bulletin about the collapse and he headed to the high school.
When he arrived, he said two to three kids were still trapped under the stage and a half dozen were being treated nearby.
After helping coordinate there, Cook went to St. Vincent Carmel Hospital to talk with families.
The mayor, who was visibly shaken, planned to go to other hospitals, as well.
Chris Baldwin, human relations director for Westfield High, said the school will have guidance counselors to help those dealing with trauma. And while the school will be open Friday, Baldwin said students who want to stay home are free to do so.
"We just want to make sure we're there to help them," said Baldwin. "That's what we do every day."
Olivia Huser, a spokeswoman for Riverview Health, said two victims came into the hospital on their own and were being evaluated for their injuries.
Three of the victims who had been admitted to St. Vincent left the hospital in wheelchairs with their families around 1:30 a.m. Friday morning, but declined to comment as they headed to their cars.
"It took a moment to actually process what just happened," Brown said of the collapse. "Then, it was all about the kids. I was very thankful mine were sitting next to me and praying for the very worried parents whose kids were on stage."
The incident evoked memories of a 2011 stage collapse at the Indiana Stage 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.
Contributing: The Associated Press
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On April 23, during a student performance at Westfield High School, the stage the students were performing on collapsed, injuring dozens. Sara Camden
Police are on the scene at Westfield High School after a stage collapsed Thursday evening during a student performance.(Photo: Matt Detrich / The Star)
WESTFIELD, Ind. — More than a dozen people were injured Thursday night when a stage collapsed during a student performance at an area high school, authorities said.
Student performers at Westfield High School had just gathered toward the front of the stage for the last song of the concert when the platform they were standing on gave way, sending them tumbling into the orchestra pit.
Capt. Charles Hollowell of the Westfield Police Department said authorities didn't have an exact number of injuries but were certain more than 12 were hurt. At least one person was critically injured after the stage gave way at Westfield High School, he said.
Hollowell did not have any further information about that person's injuries. No fatalities were reported.
"I was honestly just shocked," said Andrew Baier, a senior at Westfield who was in the auditorium during the incident. "I didn't think that anything like that could happen, especially here at Westfield."
Screams suddenly replaced the sound of singing voices as the students lay in the pit, covered by broken pieces of wood and metal.
The collapse occurred about 10 p.m.
Joe Lyons, fire chief at the Westfield Fire Department, said multiple injuries were reported.
"We were all just trying to figure out what was going on," Baier said. He said he helped an injured woman to her car after the collapse. She had dried blood down her face and had hurt her leg and ankle.
"We were trying to help those who couldn't help themselves," he said.
Multiple ambulances were requested to transport the remaining victims to area hospitals, however, Lyons did not anticipate any of the injured would have to be airlifted from the school.
"Some parents rushed the stage area," said Mandi McKinley Brown, who was also in the auditorium watching the students perform the "American Pie" rock and roll review concert. "Most of us stayed in our seats to stay out of the way. People were lifting large pieces of the stage out of the pit from on top of the kids."
A state fire marshal was at the scene investigating the collapse, said Westfield Mayor Andy Cook.
"We'll look at the cause of what happened here and certainly take every precaution to see that it doesn't happen again."
Cook was at home when he saw a police bulletin about the collapse and he headed to the high school.
When he arrived, he said two to three kids were still trapped under the stage and a half dozen were being treated nearby.
After helping coordinate there, Cook went to St. Vincent Carmel Hospital to talk with families.
The mayor, who was visibly shaken, planned to go to other hospitals, as well.
Chris Baldwin, human relations director for Westfield High, said the school will have guidance counselors to help those dealing with trauma. And while the school will be open Friday, Baldwin said students who want to stay home are free to do so.
"We just want to make sure we're there to help them," said Baldwin. "That's what we do every day."
Olivia Huser, a spokeswoman for Riverview Health, said two victims came into the hospital on their own and were being evaluated for their injuries.
Three of the victims who had been admitted to St. Vincent left the hospital in wheelchairs with their families around 1:30 a.m. Friday morning, but declined to comment as they headed to their cars.
"It took a moment to actually process what just happened," Brown said of the collapse. "Then, it was all about the kids. I was very thankful mine were sitting next to me and praying for the very worried parents whose kids were on stage."
The incident evoked memories of a 2011 stage collapse at the Indiana Stage 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.
Contributing: The Associated Press
Read or Share this story: http://usat.ly/1GoNHBO
USA NOW
Maryland man 1 of 2 al-Qaeda hostages killed by drone
Apr 23, 2015
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