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Killer Storm Hits Concert, Stage Collapses

posted: 8 HOURS 36 MINUTES AGO

comments: 220

filed under: World News

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CAMROSE, Alberta (Aug. 2) -- Organizers on Sunday canceled the closing day of a country music festival in central Alberta a day after a fierce thunderstorm caused an outdoor stage to collapse, killing one person and injuring about 75 others.

Thousands of fans were camped out at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, 60 miles (100 kilometers) southeast of Edmonton, when strong winds and heavy rain struck about 6 p.m. on Saturday, sending people screaming and running for cover. Actor Kevin Costner who was about to perform with his band narrowly escaped serious injury.

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Festival Rocked By Vicious Storm

At least one person was killed and up to 40 others injured Saturday when strong winds and heavy rain caused an outdoor stage to collapse at a country music festival in Alberta, Canada. Here, the wreckage is seen at the Big Valley Jamboree in Camrose, which is 60 miles southeast of Edmonton.

John Ulan, The Canadian Press / AP

The event is billed as Canada's largest country music festival with attendance estimated at 15,000.

Police and festival organizers told a news conference at the site Sunday that one person was killed by falling debris from the stage and about 75 others were injured, most of whom were treated at the site.

Camrose Police Chief Darrell Kambeitz said about 21 of the injured were taken to hospitals, two of whom were in critical condition.

At the news conference, officials made it clear that had very little advance warning of the severe storm. Kambeitz said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police informed local police at 5:55 p.m. about unconfirmed reports that a possible tornado had touched just south of Edmonton.

"We had people on the stage at 5:57 p.m., and the storm struck between 5:57 p.m. and 6 p.m," he said.

Jamboree producer Larry Werner said his office also got a call saying a severe windstorm was heading directly for the venue and immediately let the performers know they had to get off the stage so an announcement could be made for the crowd to clear the concert bowl.

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But the warning came too late. Fearing a tornado, panicked fans scrambled to find loved ones and shelter after the storm struck.

"We were all racing for the exit," said Lori Trelenberg of Sherwood Park, Alberta. "It was devastation. It was strong and powerful. The stage just sort of crumbled."

The Nashville-based Billy Currington band was playing when the power went out and the stage collapsed. One band member was pulled from the wreckage with a broken arm.

Costner and his band Modern West were getting ready to perform next when the stage caved in. Costner's manager, Nick Meinama, said both he and the actor were caught underneath the stage.

"He was unhurt. I was unhurt. We wiggled our way out," Meinama told CTV News Sunday. "We found that our road manager and guitar player had been hurt, but the ambulance and the paramedics were here instantly to take them to the hospital."

Meinama said the two were later released from the hospital and were flying back to the U.S.

CFCW radio personality Danny Hooper was on the stage when the storm hit.

"I can't describe the sky — it was brown and purple and green," Hooper said on CFCW. "The massive wind blew me backwards."

Claire Beaudoin was sitting only three rows from the stage when the storm struck, suddenly sending musical instruments, chairs and other debris flying. Beaudoin saw people falling.

"What went through my mind was 'Oh, my God No!' It was really scary. People were crying," she said.

Vancouver-based country music singer Jessie Farrell, who had performed earlier Saturday, said it was a terrifying experience.

"It felt like bombs were going off around us in this concrete and steel building," she told CTV News. "Huge hits of power hitting the building, and then the lights were off."

Officials could not say immediately why the structure collapsed, or how long it would take to get answers. Provincial officials are helping with the investigation.

Heavy rain deluged the area for about an hour as emergency crews treated the injured and combed through the wreckage for more victims. The site was cordoned off by police as searchers worked through the night under blazing spotlights hung from massive cranes. The cranes were still clearing debris from the site Sunday.

The four-day festival in central Canada started Thursday and had been scheduled to wrap up Sunday.

Sunday's program was cancelled by the promoter, who said the organizers were deeply saddened by the tragedy.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of the families, fans and friends impacted by this incident," producer Werner said in a statement.

Social networking sites were quickly abuzz with reaction.

On Twitter, the Oak Ridge Boys sent this message: "Our prayers are with the Big Valley Jamboree. We have been there six times, including last summer. We know these folks."

Environment Canada had issued a thunderstorm watch for the area Saturday and a similar watch remained in effect across much of central Alberta on Sunday. Forecasters noted that a line of thunderstorms marching across the region had the potential to produce high winds, hail, local downpours and lightning.

Saturday's severe storm system was also blamed for the death of a toddler in Calgary who was killed when a piece of metal blew off a building under construction. Two other people on the sidewalk below were injured.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2009-08-02 08:31:07

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TrekkinBob

02:45 AMAug 03 2009

Dances With Wolves - Silverado - two of his best. Had no idea he could sing.

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Dvdfrnzwbr

02:44 AMAug 03 2009

BLAME CANADA! BLAME CANADA!

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AdePett3

02:42 AMAug 03 2009

Glad to hear you're OKAY, your one of my favorite artist.

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larrypo80

02:30 AMAug 03 2009

Is it wrong for a man to have a sugar baby or a woman to have sugar daddy?? It is an absolutely extramarital relationship, but more and more services came out on Internet focusing on this kind of relationship.such as ^-^~~~Sugardaddychat.c om ~~~~ ^-^ it's the biggest sugar dating for beutiful women and rich men.

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LanaAueSrockB

02:13 AMAug 03 2009

KEVIN COSTNER; good or bad actor, country singer or not, bald, plugs or what, Dem or Rep. .........................I don't care! ...................THE GREATEST LIPS ON EARTH! There, I've said it, and feel so much better! LOL

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Sintoodoo22

01:58 AMAug 03 2009

I remember when Costner was a little gay waiter in West Hollywood....somehow he got it in his head that a good idea when an agent or manager or other industry scumbag staggered in was to hold his breath for thirty seconds until he got beet red in the face and then charge up to their table and bellow, "GODDAMMIT I'M TOMATO MAN!!!!"....worked I guess....

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Etara1

01:56 AMAug 03 2009

Another disaster is how cops refuse to police their own. How many cops end up in jail for serious offences against the very people they are PAID to 'protect and serve'? ___POLICECRIMES.COM___"Rape by police is an epidemic"___GAINESNET.COM/POLICE__"1 out of every 115 police officers in the US will be implicated in an act of misconduct or criminality in the news"___INJUSTICEEVERYWHERE.COM___NOTHUGCOPS.COM__RATEMYCOP.COM____COPWA TCH.COM___How do police treat their own families?__BEHINDTHEBLUEWALL.BLOGSPOT.COM___SPREAD THE WORD!!!

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TXLaw911

01:54 AMAug 03 2009

to the people bad mouthing costner im sorry you feel that way but i dont agree costner came to barksdale afb when i was prego with my 2 year old and threw a free concert for the military police for takeing care of his security during his movie shoot it included dinner and alki on him me and my hubby went and when he came out he walked through the crowed and ppl went crazy im 7 months prego and when he walked by me i wasnt paying attion i was watching everyone around me so i wouldnt get hurt and his body gaurd was rude and told me to get out of the way costner MADE this man apoligize to me and than personally apoligized to me and touched my tummy and told me good luck with the baby so i think he is a thoughtful person to recognize that his bodygaurd was bullying a prego women who was just trying not to get ran over but he was very generous that night i know it cost him a fortune

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RSaid10432

01:00 AMAug 03 2009

does this mean that god is a country music hating liberal? I've heard that god loves techno music the best.

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Undunindayton

12:57 AMAug 03 2009

This is only written to the ppl with high enough intelligence to get it..which from what I have read, is about 1 percent..FYI....Kevin Costner was protected from this storm..for whatever reason. Not our concern. I am saddened by the loss the storm caused, as trauma is unanticipated shock. Personally, I am one of the biggest Costner fans on the planet, and I am thrilled that he's getting the chance to get out and do the band thing! It doesn't matter what genre it is if the chemistry is right...and you feel it. Peace to you...

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