By Jacob Baumann

With all the tragedy and madness behind the recent Sugarland concert stage collapse, it is difficult to stomach that it was close to home.

On Aug. 18, a gust of wind caused the stage to be overtaken at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis.  Sugarland was set to perform, but was never on stage and were not injured physically.

Although none of the band members were injured, it was another story for a few spectators close to the stage. 

With seven people confirmed dead and close to 50 injured, the tragedy’s magnitude continues to grow. 

Thousands of on lookers began evacuating right after the stage had fallen.  Announcements had been made prior to the stage crumpling, about the evacuation process, but it had taken the viewers by complete surprise.

Senior Sydney Shelton was in the audience at the time and saw the terrifying ordeal. Shelton had gone with friends and family, none of whom were hurt.

Shelton said, “Everyone stopped and stared as it collapsed and ran afterward.”

During the evacuation process the officials were telling people where to go. 

“We all went into the Pepsi Coliseum,” said Shelton.  “They were housing horses there at the time.”

At first, Shelton was not disturbed out about the stage buckling.  News then began to spread about people having been injured and killed by the collapse. 

At that time, the reality of the disaster set in and everyone was scared and worried about what had happened to other observers.

“I didn’t think they had any idea it was coming,” said Shelton. 

The National Weather Service had issued a thunderstorm warning at 8:45 p.m.  This was just minutes before the gust of wind pummeled the stage.

Shelton said they had made announcements about cancelling the concert after they had retrieved food.  About two minutes after that, the stage was knocked down.

Although Shelton was not injured by the collapse, it was a horrible experience.

While Shelton was there, senior Bethany Hoskins was also at the concert.  “It was really scary, it made you realize things can change so fast,” said Hoskins.

“The evacuation was crazy, people were pushing others down the stairs and jumping over people,” said Hoskins. 

After the concert, Hoskins also went into the Pepsi Coliseum.

“We watched a lady next to us have a panic attack because she was in the front row and had lost her friend,” said Hoskins.   A state fair manager told the woman of hospitals to try and find her friend.

With similar experiences, it makes this tragedy hit home even harder.

“We went to have a good time and it ended up in tragedy,” said Shelton.