Article 4Bluesfest's Major Stage collapses under heavy winds.
Last night a series of flash storms hit South-Eastern Ontario, almost Armageddon-like in nature: hail storms, heavy winds, miniature tornadoes, lightning showers, and lots of rain.
For Ottawa, the Bluesfest main stage collapsed not long after vacated by the band Cheap Trick. The lead singer was hit in the head, but it was not severe injury. One of the band's drivers, however, has reportedly been punctured in the abdomen and last night was in critical state. Another person was also severely injured, but these were reportedly not life-threatening. Two other people also received minor injuries. In a sense, it was good thing the stage fell backwards, or many more people could have been injured. “We were monitoring the weather and what was a (thunderstorm) watch turned into a more severe situation, and when that happened we called it immediately,” said Bluesfest executive director Mark Monahan today.
"Paramedics who treated a 49-year-old man for a puncture wound to his abdomen and a broken pelvis and leg had initially described his condition as “life-threatening.” The Ottawa Hospital confirmed he was discharged yesterday. Another man was immobilized with a suspected spinal injury and a third suffered chest pains. One of the victims was a truck driver for Cheap Trick, the band performing moments before the stage collapsed." The following day (Apr. 19th): "Relieved organizers of the Ottawa Bluesfest said yesterday the three people who were taken to hospital Sunday night after the MBNA stage collapsed were well enough to go home."
"Paramedics who treated a 49-year-old man for a puncture wound to his abdomen and a broken pelvis and leg had initially described his condition as “life-threatening.” The Ottawa Hospital confirmed he was discharged yesterday. Another man was immobilized with a suspected spinal injury and a third suffered chest pains. One of the victims was a truck driver for Cheap Trick, the band performing moments before the stage collapsed." The following day (Apr. 19th): "Relieved organizers of the Ottawa Bluesfest said yesterday the three people who were taken to hospital Sunday night after the MBNA stage collapsed were well enough to go home."
Also for Ottawa, the Emergency Department was inundated with hundreds of calls, some of which reported that an apartment building had been struck by lightning and had caught fire. "Ottawans were mopping floors, chopping up downed trees for firewood and making do without power yesterday as the area continues to deal with the fallout of weekend storms." - Metro.
In the Pembroke area, one woman was struck by lightning and was then brought to hospital for treatment.
These are just a few of the multiple incidents that happened last night, including felled trees and power outages. "Ottawa police said they received over 300 calls about the storm in about two hours, including calls for a townhouse fire, stranded boaters and downed trees, signs and hydro lines." - Metro.
Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips warns: "The freak windstorm that toppled the main stage at the Ottawa Bluesfest may be a sign of weather to come, warns a top climatologist." He also says that "it's nearly impossible to predict these storms" - Metro.
These are just a few of the multiple incidents that happened last night, including felled trees and power outages. "Ottawa police said they received over 300 calls about the storm in about two hours, including calls for a townhouse fire, stranded boaters and downed trees, signs and hydro lines." - Metro.
Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips warns: "The freak windstorm that toppled the main stage at the Ottawa Bluesfest may be a sign of weather to come, warns a top climatologist." He also says that "it's nearly impossible to predict these storms" - Metro.
C. F. Pelletier
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