Emmis all news/talker WIBC (www.wibc.com) went into emergency mode Saturday night when the stage tragedy took place at the fair. WIBC General Manager David Wood was close to the stage when the wind took it down Saturday night and filed a report live from the scene back to the radio station. Five people have been confirmed dead after a wind gust knocked down heavy scaffolding supporting a stage at the Indiana State Fair. Sugarland was about to take the stage when the stage fell crushing scores of people. Nobody in the band was injured and nobody from Emmis was injured either.
You can listen to the WIBC coverage HERE as the station did an excellent job on scene covering the tragedy. The Sugarland Facebook page read "You may see on the news that our stage collapsed tonight. We are all right. We are praying for our fans, and for the people of Indianapolis. We hope you will join us. They need your strength." At least 45 people are injured, some of them critically, according to Indiana State Police. State Police spokesman Dave Bursten says it's "very likely" the death toll will rise.
Marion County was under a severe thunderstorm warning when the wind brought the rigging down, but Bursten says the storm itself wasn't the issue. He says state police were discussing evacuation plans when the wind gust hit shortly before 9:00 p.m. Sugarland and opening act Sara Bareilles canceled their scheduled Sunday night appearance at the Iowa State Fair. Both posted tweets urging prayers for their fans and for Indianapolis.
(8/15/2011 11:15:28 AM)
Chilling video of the stage coming down: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRkdwrmzYXg
(8/15/2011 11:02:19 AM)
Jock:
There's always got to be a bitter piece of chocolate in the box. The station did a great job. Your comment is ridiculous.
Ed
until have you done 24/7 coverage of a tragedy it is hard to know how difficult and insane it can get. I experienced something I will never forget after the shooting of my Congressman and her constituents here in Tucson, Arizona.
There were so many false reports and accusations. To keep the story going and remain impartial to just report the news is such a critical factor in what sustains and creates compelling radio. I immediately went to the local news/talk stations and listened to WIBC. Thx
(8/15/2011 7:10:07 AM)
Saying this station shined during the tragedy seems a little over the top to me. Did their coverage save any more lives in this situation? No, they were lucky enough that their General Manager was up front near the stage, as GM's often are, and he used his telephone to report on a tragic event. But saying they shined, seems ridiculous. They did a good job of covering a story, just as they would have done with a major fire or traffic accident.
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