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At least 12 injured after Indiana high school stage collapses during joyful musical
Washington Post ^ | Nick Kirkpatrick and Abby Ohlheiser

Posted on 04/24/2015 6:01:29 AM PDT by BenLurkin

Journey’s classic tune was blasting as students bathed in purple stage lights began signing “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

What happened next was not on the script for Thursday night’s performance of “American Pie” at Westfield High School in Westfield, Indiana, just north of Indianapolis. As the students began their finale, with performers leaping joyfully on to the stage for a big dance number, the stage collapsed, injuring at least a dozen people, police said.

Officials were relieved that no students were seriously hurt in the dramatic collapse, which was captured on video by several audience members.

The injured students are “doing really well” as of Friday morning, Westfield police Capt. Charles Hollowell told a news conference.

Although one student was initially reported in critical condition, that is no longer the case, Hollowell said. The kids are now recovering from “minor injuries,” he added.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Local News
KEYWORDS:

1 posted on 04/24/2015 6:01:30 AM PDT by BenLurkin
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To: BenLurkin

Probably framed with 2x4’s and 1/2” plywood. Sue the unionized construction company!


2 posted on 04/24/2015 6:05:17 AM PDT by petercooper (And I was born in the back seat of a Greyhound bus... Rollin' down Highway 41.)
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To: petercooper

Interestingly this was built just recently... about the same time Indiana repealed the construction wage law. I’m already hearing the howling that this was a result.


3 posted on 04/24/2015 6:17:07 AM PDT by Frapster (Build the America you want in your home... and keep looking up.)
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To: BenLurkin
The "wave effect". It happened years ago at a KC hotel, among other times. Everybody doing the same motion at the same time can cause a collapse.

Unless they're willing to accept a percentage of failure, any structure that's hollow underneath should be designed by an engineer who can determine what activities it can and cannot absorb.

The pictures of this one seem that someone should've noticed and not let that large group of hyper teens dance in unison on that platform.

4 posted on 04/24/2015 6:24:34 AM PDT by grania
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To: grania

The section that collapsed was not part of the permanent stage. But put up by students stage hands. I heard there was also a piece of scenery that was in serious danger of being crushed by a dwarf.


5 posted on 04/24/2015 6:37:40 AM PDT by massgopguy (I owe everything to George Bailey)
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To: BenLurkin

Glad they’re all okay.

Thanks.


6 posted on 04/24/2015 6:37:47 AM PDT by onedoug
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To: Frapster

You have absolutely ZERO proof of this. School construction and maintenance contracts are negotiated and signed YEARS in advance. As such, it is highly likely that a UNION company built this stage. Of course, its all speculation at this point.


7 posted on 04/24/2015 6:50:14 AM PDT by SJSAMPLE
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To: grania

That stage wasn’t long enough for generation of a propagated wave. It was just overloaded.


8 posted on 04/24/2015 6:51:12 AM PDT by SJSAMPLE
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To: SJSAMPLE
You have absolutely ZERO proof of this. School construction and maintenance contracts are negotiated and signed YEARS in advance. As such, it is highly likely that a UNION company built this stage. Of course, its all speculation at this point.

I think my point was that I'm already hearing the howling in light of the repeal regardless of the facts. We're saying the same thing.

9 posted on 04/24/2015 6:55:57 AM PDT by Frapster (Build the America you want in your home... and keep looking up.)
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To: grania

1981?

Well, Shiite happens...


10 posted on 04/24/2015 7:18:19 AM PDT by Vendome (Don't take life so seriously-you won't live through it anyway-Enjoy Yourself ala Louis Prima)
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To: BenLurkin

Looks like they were trying to break it.


11 posted on 04/24/2015 7:56:13 AM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER (The Second Amendment, a Matter of Fact, Not A Matter of Opinion)
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To: grania

I seem to recall that Napoleon’s Army was directed to break stride when marching over bridges.

I also recall that KC balcony collapse was a result of improper fastening on threaded rod hangers.


12 posted on 04/24/2015 8:23:17 AM PDT by Rodamala
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To: BenLurkin

Damn common core.


13 posted on 04/24/2015 9:42:20 AM PDT by longfellow (Bill Maher, the 21st hijacker.)
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To: Frapster

Sorry. Sarcasm detector failing.


14 posted on 04/24/2015 11:56:59 AM PDT by SJSAMPLE
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To: BenLurkin
I saw the exact same scenario unfold about a year ago. Dozens of special snowflakes demonstrating their talent for jumping up and down in unison, leading to a collapse of the stage. I quoth: "They never learn".
15 posted on 04/24/2015 12:06:33 PM PDT by Company Man (ob Princess Bride quote here)
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To: Company Man

snowflakes?

Are you sure?


16 posted on 04/24/2015 12:20:14 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: BenLurkin

That’s my polite euphemism for “ignorant wannabes”...


17 posted on 04/24/2015 12:46:32 PM PDT by Company Man (ob Princess Bride quote here)
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To: Company Man
And yet Irish cloggers never seem to collapse the stages they dance on.

Better stage hands?

18 posted on 04/24/2015 9:31:54 PM PDT by texas booster (Join FreeRepublic's Folding@Home team (Team # 36120) Cure Alzheimer's!)
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To: SJSAMPLE

No problem brother! (or sister) :)


19 posted on 04/25/2015 9:20:39 AM PDT by Frapster (Build the America you want in your home... and keep looking up.)
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To: texas booster

Correct me if I am wrong, but these students were packed cheek to jowl on a stage designed for half that number. Never saw Michael Flatley’s troupe doing that, not to mention Irish Folk Dancers are a bit more fleet of foot than these tribalistic morons.


20 posted on 04/25/2015 10:06:48 AM PDT by Company Man (ob Princess Bride quote here)
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