Stage collapses at Ottawa Bluesfest amid violent storm
Posted July 17, 2011 8:47 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The main stage at Ottawa Bluesfest collapsed during a severe thunderstorm Sunday night.
The stage gave way around 7:30 p.m. as the band Cheap Trick was performing and forced thousands to seek shelter in the Canadian War Museum nearby.
Witnesses said there were strong winds, but the rain had not started at the time of the collapse.
There were no serious injuries, according festival officials.
Environment Canada had issued a thunderstorm warning for the city, predicting winds would reach 90 kilometres an hour.
Hydro One confirmed 50,000 of its customers in eastern Ontario lost power because of the storms.
