First lawsuits filed over deadly Indiana fair collapse

The first wrongful death lawsuits have been filed as a result of the stage collapse at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis last week which killed six and injured more than 40 others, lawyers said onSaturday.

Suits were filed on behalf of Tammy VanDam of Wanatah, Indiana, 42, the mother of a 17-year-old daughter, and her partner Beth Urschel, 49.

VanDam was killed by the collapse of the stage after a high blast of wind whipped through the grandstand area just minutes before the country duo Sugarland was scheduled to perform. Urschel was severely injured.

Although Indiana law does not recognize the rights of same-sex couples, "this is an inequity we also intend to address in this lawsuit," Kenneth J. Allen, an attorney for the plaintiffs, said in a statement.

"Tammy's death is not only devastating for Beth, it also leaves her daughter without a mother's love and guidance during the most vulnerable stage of her life," Allen said.

Allen said Beth Urschel suffered "serious and painful crush injuries" and will have lifelong impairment. Defendants include Mid-America Sound Corp, Live Nation Worldwide and Lucas Entertainment Group.

Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels has asked the Indiana Inspector General to assign several staffers to the State Fair Commission to assist in the fact finding and documentation procurement aspect of an investigation into the incident.

The fair commission has hired Thornton Tomasetti, a New York engineering company, to coordinate and conduct the structural portion of the investigation.

The Washington D.C.-based firm of Witt Associates will do an analysis of the fair's preparedness and response to the event.

"This was a terrible tragedy that could and should have been prevented; the responsible parties must be held to account," Allen said.

4 die, 40 hurt in fair stage collapse

Storm winds slammed the Indiana State Fair grandstand Saturday night, killing at least four people and injuring 40 when the stage collapsed, authorities said.

The death toll from the collapse at the fairgrounds in Indianapolis, which occurred as a crowd of about 12,000 waited for a performance by the country band Sugarland, could go higher, police said.

"I want to be very frank that there could be other deaths," state police Sgt. Dave Bursten at a 1:45 a.m. briefing.

The Indianapolis Star reported the fair would be closed Sunday and then is expected to resume Monday with a memorial service honoring the victims.

"It was like it was in slow motion, you couldn't believe it was actually happening," concert-goer Amy Weathers of Centerville told the Star.

WANE-TV employee Kirby Ehler, who was at the fair to see Sugarland perform, said the wind grabbed the stage and its roof "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," Ehler said. "They were asking any medics or nurses not to leave."

An emergency center was set up at the fairgrounds to treat victims, firefighters said.

The opening act, Sara Bareilles, had finished her set and the crowd was being directed to evacuate when the storm struck.

Sugarland later posted a message via Twitter: "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."