Storm that destroyed Ottawa Bluesfest stage ‘freak’ event
Posted July 18, 2011 1:05 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The executive director of Ottawa Bluesfest said the sudden storm that destroyed the festival’s main stage on Sunday was a “freak” event.
“It was a very unusual situation,” said Mark Monahan, adding the festival monitors weather conditions. “The fact that it brought that stage down and nothing else came down in the park was just a freak situation.”
Environment Canada had a thunderstorm warning in effect for Ottawa that day, saying winds were expected to reach 90 km/h.
Monahan said he is looking at having a closer relationship with the weather office, following the accident.
At least four people were injured when the main stage toppled shortly before 8 p.m. Sunday. A 49-year-old man working at the show sustained abdominal, pelvic and leg injuries. Another had a possible spinal injury.
All have been released from hospital, he said.
The sudden storm swept over the outdoor concert and brought down the main stage in the middle of a Cheap Trick performance on the final night of the festival. Witnesses said the band members were tossed off their feet. Later, the band posted on Facebook saying they were shaken up but OK.
The stage, a rental from a Montreal firm, was inspected regularly during the festival, Monahan said.
He said the Ministry of Labour is investigating the site of the collapse and will submit a report on the incident.
Starting in 2004, Bluesfest has grown from a one-stage, three-day event to a multi-staged, 12-day outdoor concert showing some of the best international talent.
With files from The Canadian Press
