Heat takes toll at Fourth festivities

CARMEL, Ind. (WISH) - High heat took a toll on people out at Carmel's Fourth of July festivities Wednesday.

Emergency crews were using the local library as a staging/triage area. Carmel Fire Department spokesman Bruce Knott said emergency officials had made arrangements prior to the event to use the library as a place for people to cool down if needed.

Ambulances from Carmel, Noblesville and Westfield lined up outside the library as paramedics helped people who had overheated. Officials reported 16 people were taken to area hospitals in good condition. Knott said that was primarily precautionary.

Temperatures were expected to reach 100 Wednesday afternoon, with heat index climbing even higher, according to Forecast 8 meteorologist Randy Ollis.

Organizers provided water stations, misters and first aid stations, but despite the preparations, the heat sickened some members of Shortridge band after they participated in the parade. So all of them were sent to the library to cool off, and paramedics helped those most affected.

"We saw a few of them that seemed like maybe their vital signs weren't what we would like to see, and so we offered the opportunity to go to the hospital," Knott said.