Fair Queen back to work after stage coach crash

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Just one day shy of the state fair stage collapse one year anniversary, a stage coach overturns at the Indiana State Fair. On Monday one of the victims was already back at work.

The State Fair Queen Erika Burghardt was one of 6 people involved in Sunday night's crash. On Monday she focused on her duties as fair queen, but the shocking video of the crash shows what she's still trying to recover from.

All it took was the wheels to lose traction in the dirt and the stage coach came tumbling down with 6 people on board. One of them the state fair queen. "Everyone's doing fine, I'm fine and I'm excited to be back out here again today," says State Fair Queen Erika Burghardt.

One day later back at the fair, Erika Burghardt answered very few questions about the crash, although it was obvious in her face she was still affected. State Fair officials knew that was the case which is why they asked her take some time off. "Its great to see her back out here but we hope she takes it easy because we know she was shaken up last night," says Andy Klotz of the Indiana State Fair.

When the stage coach overturned, Erika Burghardt and the driver were sitting on top while 4 people were inside the coach. 3 judges, 2 from Ohio and one from Illinois, and a guest queen from Minnesota. In the video you can seen Erika tumble off the top along with the driver who never lets go of the reins to maintain control of the 6 horses. "I believe so and just making sure everyone else was okay," says Erika.

Andy Klotz says at this point the crash is an unfortunate accident.
But he says he's pleased with how the staff responded to the emergency.
"I think that the videotape that people have seen kind of says it all. People were on the scene in seconds, the driver did an excellent job of keeping those horses contained and medical personnel were there within minutes to tend to the injured passengers," says Klotz.

For the State Fair Queen taking some time off wasn't an option. "That is my duty so I'm very excited to be here," says Erika.

The people inside the coach were Barbara Watson of Ohio, Gary Nebergall of Illinois, Rod Kohler of Ohio and Melanie Grant of Minnesota.

All were taken to the hospital except for the driver, who was treated at the scene. The last person is expected to be released from the hospital Monday afternoon.