A thunderstorm with gale force winds caused a stage to sway backwards and collapse at this weekend’s Ottawa Bluesfest while the band Cheap Trick was playing.
Described as several stories tall, the steel structure shook momentarily then fell to the ground at around 7:20 p.m. on Sunday, July 17 as the iconic rock band was 20 minutes into its set. “It was pretty freaky,” one concertgoer told Canadian Television.
Members of Cheap Trick escaped uninjured, but one man on stage was taken to hospital after an object pierced his abdomen. He also suffered a fractured leg and pelvis and was reported to be in serious condition.
Cheap Trick frontman Robin Zander later wrote on the band’s Facebook page, “Fortunately the band and crew are all lucky to be alive and we’ll see you down the road. And all the best to our truck driver Sandy.” Cheap Trick next plays Lewiston, New York’s Artpark on Tuesday.
The festival, which was ending its 12-night run on Sunday (Soundgarden, A Perfect Circle, The Black Keys and Jane’s Addiction were among the headlining acts), canceled all subsequent performances. The storm caused power outages throughout area.
