Update!

Five Dead in Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse at Sugarland Gig

Scaffolding blows over onto crowd after 60-70 mph winds, according to the national weather service and eyewitness reports.

By Jefferson Reid, Sierra Marquina Aug 14, 2011 2:00 PMTags

UPDATE: A fifth person has died as a result of the Indiana State Fair concert stage collapse that occurred Saturday, authorities say.
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It's a heartland heartbreaker for Sugarland fans at an Indiana State Fair concert.

Severe weather left four dead when high winds blew concert scaffolding onto the front rows, as the country band waited to take the stage. Dozens were reportedly injured according to reports, and an eyewitness who works for WANE-TV in Fort Wayne, Ind., described the harrowing scene pictured in the video above:

"The wind just picked up and the stage just caught and the roof just caught and it went up like a sail and then it crashed forward into the people standing in the front. There were people trapped underneath and everyone was running and screaming," said Kirby Ehler of local NewsChannel 15. "They were asking any medics or nurses not to leave."

The National Weather Service had issued a hazardous weather alert for central Indiana, warning of heavy rain and thunderstorms. The alert stated, "thunderstorms may be severe with damaging winds and large hail as the main threats." Adding, "the storms will also produce dangerous lightning and brief heavy rainfall."

Reportedly wind gusts of 60 to 70 miles per hour struck the area causing the collapse as thousands of fans waited for the headliners to take the stage.

Singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles had completed her opening set at the concert, but headliners Sugarland had not yet begun their performance when the accident occurred. 

Immediately following the accident, the band tweeted: "We are all right. We are praying for our fans, and the people of Indianapolis. We hope you'll join us. They need your strength."

According to the Indianapolis Department of Public Safety, at least 40 people have been transported to area hospitals. Those concerned for family and friends are urged to check redcross.org for a list of those injured. 

(Originally published on August 13, 2011 at 8:51 p.m.)