Indiana State Fair officials release investigation reports into Aug. 13 stage rigging collapse

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The stage at the Indiana State Fair in August was "inadequate" and Sugarland officials wanted to continue with the show despite concerns from Fair officials, investigators revealed Thursday.

Two firms were hired to investigate the structure and procedures on Aug. 13 as it surrounded the fatal stage rigging collapse ahead of a Sugarland performance. The firms presented their reports on Thursday.

Stage not structurally sound

A maximum wind gust of 59 mph hit the stage that night, said Scott Nacheman , vice president for Thornton Tomasetti. The stage structure was built to withstand winds up to 25-43 mph depending on the wind direction.

• ONLINE EXTRA | Video of the Thornton Tomasetti report.

"Gravity takes over and the structure ultimately fails," Nacheman said.

Despite questions from the general public, Nacheman said the blue tarp on top of the stage rigging did not contribute to the stage going down in August. The firm’s testing actually revealed that the structure was more vulnerable without the tarp.

"The structure was already failing by the time that that tarp released," Nacheman said.

'It is only rain, we can play'

Officials from Witt Associates went over a timeline of events from the night of the concert and collapse.

• ONLINE EXTRA | Video of Witt Associates report.
   

The timeline included Fair officials expressing concerns about the weather and approaching Sugarland officials, suggesting they delay or cancel. When promoter Eric Milby was asked to convey the concerns to Sugarland's tour manager, Witt Associates said the tour manager’s response was, "It is only rain, we can play."

Later that night, State Police Capt. Brad Weaver told Fair officials to "shut it down." However, as Fair officials approached the stage to announce the delay, the stage collapsed.

Lack of cooperation

Thornton Tomasetti and Witt Associates encountered issues getting information and comments from certain people and groups connected to the collapse, the firms said.

Officials from Thornton Tomasetti said the company that built the stage, Mid-America Sound, wouldn’t provide the building plans for the stage system.

As a result of having no plans of the stage as it was built, Nacheman said his firm's probe was based "on essentially first-hand documentation of the site."

Witt Associates said many people did cooperate by providing interviews, but the company had no subpoena power to compel people to offer information. Mid-America Sound and Sugarland’s stage manager wouldn’t interview with Witt Associates, the firm said. The group also had limited access to Local 20, the stagehands union.

Fair Commission response

Before the board began its normal business, State Fair Commission Board President Andre Lacy took time to explain the purpose of the investigations were to learn and prevent another tragedy.

"These investigations were never intended as a means of placing blame," Lacy said.

During the normal meeting, Indiana State Fair Executive Director Cynthia Hoye commented on the reports.

"Not a night goes by that I don’t replay those events in my head," Hoye said. "My hope today is that in some small way, the changes that come from what we have all learned will honor the memories of those we lost on Aug. 13."

Lacy said on Thursday that despite multiple attempts by Hoye to resign, the commission completely supports her staying on board , and she will.