Tag: indiana state fair stage collapse video

Sugarland Stage Collapse Claims Another Victim As Cheerlading Coach Dies

The tragic Sugarland stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair has claimed another victim. A 24-year-old cheerleading coach massively injured during the Sugarland stage collapse will be taken off life support Monday and allowed to die. Her family issued a statement saying Meagan Toothman‘s organs will be harvested for donation later today.

“Late last night it became apparent that our Meagan was no longer with us,” the statement said. “The decision was made to allow her to be at peace. This afternoon she is scheduled for a surgery that will provide gifts of sight, health, and life to dozens who are in need.”

The Sugarland stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair was caused by high winds of 60 to 70 mph. The scaffolding of the stage collapsed just moments before the country music duo Sugarland was to take the stage and perform. The massive structure fell onto the audience gathered in front of the stage to watch the band.

Five people died at the time of the stage collapse and scores were injured, many seriously. A sixth person, college her injuries on Friday. Meagan Toothman, a high school cheerleading coach and master’s degree student in Cincinnai, suffered severe brain injuries.

The five original fatalities of the Indiana State Fair stage collapse were: Alina Bigjohny, 23; Glen Goodrich, 49; Christina Santiago, 29; stage hand Nathan Byrd, 51; Tammy Vandam, 42.

Sugarland Memorial for Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse Victims

Sugarland is planning on holding a memorial service for the five people killed the terrifying Indiana State Fair stage collapse on Saturday. The band was waiting in the wings in a prayer circle when the stage was torn down by high winds, killing five people and injuring 40 others.

If Sugarland members Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush had gone on stage only a few minutes earlier, they too may have been among the causalities in the Indiana State Fair stage collapse. The band was headed out to the stage when stage manager Hellen Rollens called them into a quick prayer circle, very possibly saving their lives.

The horrific Indiana Stage Fair stage collapse video below shows how close the band came to being killed or seriously injured.

Now the band wants to honor those who were killed and injured while waiting to see them perform.

“We are in the process of planning a private memorial in Indiana, to honor those fans who died,” the band said in a statement Tuesday. “We would first like to hold space so that their families can have time to go through their own services and memorials.”

“Until that time we are holding vigil for them,” the statement continues. “We join them on their mourning benches.”

“We have taken a couple of days to try and even begin to emotionally process the magnitude and gravity of the tragedy in Indiana on Saturday,” the statement reads, adding, “We are also addressing our own specific healing.”

Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush plan to resume the band’s touring schedule on Thursday in Albuquerque, NM.