Indiana state fair stage collapse victims remembered
- Published
Video taken at the event shows the stage collapsing as people screamed
Tearful mourners have gathered in the US state of Indiana to remember five people killed on Saturday when a stage collapsed at the state fair.
"Our hearts are broken for those that we have lost, for those we mourn," Governor Mitch Daniels said on Monday as the fair re-opened.
The stage collapsed on Saturday night as about 12,000 people awaited the start of a country music concert.
Investigators say winds of up to 70mph (113km/h) blew its rigging over.
Inquiry under way
As many as 45 more people were injured in the collapse.
At Monday morning's memorial service, Mr Daniels choked up with emotion as he described the courage his fellow "hoosiers" displayed in the aftermath of collapse, as spectators tried to lift the wreckage to save those trapped underneath.
Investigators have launched in inquiry into the collapse, blamed thus far on high winds
"There was a hero every 10ft on Saturday night," he said.
"I cannot tell you how proud I am to be the employee of six and half million people like that."
Investigators have put the collapse down to unforeseeable and isolated high winds, but have launched a further inquiry.
Meteorologists predicted a severe thunderstorm on Saturday night, however, and police officers were on hand in case of an evacuation, the Indiana State Police have said.
- Published14 August 2011