INDIANAPOLIS (BNO NEWS), Aug 23: The death toll from a stage collapse caused by strong winds at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis earlier this month has risen to seven, officials said on Tuesday.
The incident happened on August 13 at around 8.49 p.m. local time when a massive gust of wind brought down an outdoor stage that was set up for a concert by the country music band Sugarland at the state fairgrounds.
Indiana State Police First Sergeant Dave Bursten said on Tuesday that the death toll rose to seven after 24-year-old cheerleading coach Meagan Toothman of Cincinnati, Ohio died at 3.31 p.m. local time on Monday.
"Information was received from the Marion County Coroner's Office that a seventh person passed away as a result of injuries sustained at the stage collapse that occurred at the fairgrounds on Saturday evening, August 13, 2011," Bursten said in an e-mailed statement.
Bursten said Toothman was kept on life support until a surgery could take place on Monday afternoon in order for her to donate her organs. "Late last night it became apparent that our Meagan was no longer with us," Toothman's family wrote in a statement on Monday morning. "The decision was made to allow to her to be at peace."
The family said a surgery took place on Monday afternoon which provided "gifts of sight, health, and life to dozens who are in need." "We hope that she will continue to touch more lives in the same way through her passing," the statement said.
The family of Toothman thanked everyone who kept them in their prayers. "It has been humbling to see the huge number of people Meagan has touched in such a positive way," the family said. "The outpouring of love and hope was more than we could possibly expected and was an inspiration to all of us to keep her fighting."
The statement concluded with: "Her light will continue to shine on all of us as her journey of hope continues on to heaven."
According to the National Weather Service, which had issued a severe thunderstorm warning 10 minutes before the accident happened, winds are estimated to having been between 60 to 70 miles (96 to 112 kilometers) per hour at the time of the accident, which is near hurricane strength. Preparations were being made to evacuate the area when the stage collapsed.
The incident, which also injured 45 people, is still being investigated.