New Lebanon woman narrowly escapes Indiana stage collapse

NEW LEBANON, Ohio (WDTN) - New Lebanon resident Paula Reed-Stout was in the crowd and witnessed the stage collapse just feet away. Stout told 2News she, her husband and another couple were standing in the "Sugar Pit", which is where the majority of the people injured were when the massive structure fell.

"People were screaming and running," said Stout. "I saw a lot of people being trampled to the ground by others trying to get away."

Stout says the opening act had just finished and Sugarland was about to perform when a gentleman came on stage to announce a possible weather delay. Minutes later, she said, tragedy struck.

"The wind came out of no where and the dust started kicking up. That is when we started to run and I heard creaking," said Stout. "I looked over my shoulder and the stage was coming down. I couldn't believe my eyes. It landed about five feet behind us."

In the midst of the chaos, Stout said people began running towards the collapsed stage to help.

"As soon as it hit the ground, people began running towards the stage to try and get the injured out," said Stout.

Stout said the accident has made her reflect, knowing that tragedy can strike at any moment.

"When I got home today I hugged my daughter and my boys and held close to my husband," said Stout.  "I'm so thankful we both made it out of there okay, but my heart goes out to the victims."

Officials have identified the victims as 23-year-old Alina Bigjohny, 29-year-old Christina Santiago, 42-year-old Tammy Vandam, 49-year-old Glenn Goodrich and 51-year-old Nate Byrd.