INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Authorities say they have confirmed at least five deaths after a stage collapsed during a storm at the Indiana State Fair, where country act Sugarland was set to perform.

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Indiana State Police said the number of people hurt has risen to about 40, with their injuries ranging from minor to serious. The incident happened Saturday night at the fairgrounds in Indianapolis.

Strong winds caused the stage rigging for the outdoor concert to collapse, trapping and injuring concert-goers shortly before 9 p.m.

Witnesses tell WTHR that a wall of dirt, dust, rain and wind came up the main thoroughfare of the fairgrounds just before the collapse. One man said, "Panic kicked in."

Another concertgoer said there was lightning, and the sky had gotten dark, but that it wasn't raining when the wind suddenly toppled the rigging.

No one was performing at the time. The opening act was finished, and the crowd was waiting for the country group Sugarland to perform.

Associated Press photographer Darron Cummings, who was in the audience as a fan, says he and his friends sought shelter in a nearby barn after seeing weather radar. He says he then heard screams, and heard people running.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)


VIDEO OF THE STAGE COLLAPSE
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VIDEO OF THE COLLAPSE AFTERMATH
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PHOTOS OF THE COLLAPSE AND AFTERMATH
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ABC News Explains How It Happened And Speaks To People Injured

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