(Reuters/Steve Baker)Concertgoers and emergency personnel hold up stage rigging after it collapsed minutes before a concert by Sugarland at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis August 13, 2011. Four people were killed and at least 40 people were hurt when the stage collapsed in windy weather at the fair on Saturday, just minutes before country music duo Sugarland was set to perform.
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Sugarland has responded to the lawsuit being brought against it by families of those injured in an Aug. 13 stage collapse.
The country duo was preparing to play a concert at the Indiana State Fair and had just gone onstage when a storm blew over the stage's scaffolding, causing it to collapse. Seven people were killed and 58 injured as a result and lawsuits were brought against Sugarland.
For their part, Sugarland has spoken about the accident and, immediately following the collapse, publicly stated: "We are in the process of planning a private memorial in Indiana to honor those fans who died. We would first like to hold space so that their families can have time to go through their own services and memorials. Until that time, we are holding vigil for them. We join them on their mourning benches."
The group held a free concert for fans, regardless of whether they had previously purchased tickets. Sugarland collected donations to benefit the Indiana State Fair Remembrance Fund, which honored those who had been killed. Yet now it seems as though the group is taking a much different attitude in order to avoid being sued.
Attorneys for the band described the accident as being caused by a "gust of wind" with "unprecedented intensity." They also claim that the collapse "was a true accident or act of God." Lawyers also argued that fans were partly to blame -- the accident "resulted from their own fault."
Various companies, including the Indiana State Fair Commission has had to pay fines for their parts in the accident. Sugarland has always maintained its innocence, saying that it had no part in setting up the stage or equipment. The Fair Commission paid a hefty $6,300 according to reports, and other fines total over $80,000.
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According to reporter Billy Dukes, victims of the collapse will split a one-time $5 million settlement. The International Business Times has also reported that donors have given over $800,000 to victims and their families.
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