An engineering review released it’s findings yesterday (4/12) and found the State Fair stage rigging that collapsed and killed seven people before the Sugarland show wasn’t built strong enough to meet state building codes.
Thorton Tomasetti VP Scott Nacheman stated that the metal rigging structure didn’t meet requirements that it withstand wind gusts of 68 mph.
He said the gusts reached an estimated 59 mph when it collapsed onto fans before the concert. The analysis found that parts of the rigging’s support system began to give way at wind gusts of 33 mph.
“We put ourselves willingly and publicly under the microscope in hopes of preventing a tragedy like that which happened August 13th,” said Fair Commission Chairman Andre Lacy.
He said the investigation was not meant to place blame. Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush were scheduled to begin giving depositions about the collapse yesterday (4/12) in West Virginia.
