Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles: ‘Grief, Pain’ After Indiana State Fair Stage Collapse

Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles took to the band’s website to describe her sadness about the Indiana State Fair stage collapse that killed five over the weekend.

In a post entitled “Your prayers needed,” she wrote on Sunday, “I am so moved. Moved by the grief of those families who lost loved ones. Moved by the pain of those who were injured and the fear of their families. Moved by the great heroism as I watched so many brave Indianapolis fans actually run toward the stage to try and help lift and rescue those injured. Moved by the quickness and organization of the emergency workers who set up the triage and tended to the injured.

STORY: Sugarland Concert Stage Collapse: Musicians React to the Tragedy

“There are no words to process a moment of this magnitude and gravity. There are only prayers for peace in the hearts of the bereft, and prayers of thanksgiving for those who were spared or safe,” she continued. “A piece of our heart is left in that grandstand. May God provide peace and healing to the people of Indianapolis.”

“We wish to pass along our most sincere thanks for the messages of love, prayer, and support from our fan family. We’ll post any further updates here as they become available,” she added.

Nettles also posted links to the Indiana State Fair memorial service, and information on their performance with Sara Bareilles being canceled.

An eyewitness at the concert described the scene to The Hollywood Reporter: “There was a splash of rain, and a horrible noise, and people came running down the ramp… then we saw a truss fall and then the whole thing went down and blacked the ramp out.”

Nettles and bandmate Kristian Bush, along with their five band members, were safely contained in a “concrete bunker” beneath the ground, but many of their 40 stagehands and techs were already setting up for the 9:00 p.m. set. “They jumped into the pit and moved rubble and equipment to try and help those fans up front,” says the onlooker. “The Sugarland crew and EMTs on site were heroes.”

Winds between 60 to 70 mph knocked over the stage framework and lighting rig.

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Sugarland Concert Stage Collapse: Musicians React to the Tragedy