INDIANAPOLIS — Hundreds of mourners gathered Monday at the Indiana State Fairgrounds to remember five people killed when high winds caused an outdoor stage to collapse onto an audience awaiting the start of a country music concert.
Gov. Mitch Daniels told the roughly 500 mourners that the tragedy has broken the hearts of the state’s residents. He became emotional as he praised those who rushed to the stage to help the injured.
“I cannot tell you how proud I am,” Daniels said, his voice cracking, “to be the employee of 6 1/2 million people like that.”
Daniels said Saturday night’s stage collapse was especially sad because the state fair is “a family reunion of all Hoosiers,” where farmers and city dwellers gather for fun.
Steven and Amanda Potaczek of the band 1,000 Generations opened the service with “Fail Us Not,” a song they wrote when one of their friends died in 2008. Amanda Potaczek said the song is about keeping trust in God when tragedies happen.
“Stuff like this does not defeat him,” she said.
Wind gusts between 60 and 70 mph toppled the stage as an estimated 12,000 people were waiting to see the band Sugarland. About four dozen people, some critically injured, were taken to hospitals.
Daniels ordered flags at the fairgrounds flown at half- staff in honor of the victims.
After the service, the fair reopened, while visitors paid their respects to the five victims.
David and Jennifer Dominianni, from the Indianapolis suburb of Fishers, brought their 7-year-old daughter and 8-month-old son. Jennifer Dominianni said they told their daughter about the accident because they don’t like to hide things from her.
“She said, ‘That’s where they lost their lives?’ And we said yes. She understands that it was a tragedy,” Dominianni said.
