Tent Collapse In St. Louis Leaves One Dead And 100 Injured

A few months ago, the stage at the Indiana State Fair collapsed after strong winds compromised the makeshift structure, causing injury and even death to several unlucky concertgoers. In what seems like a repeat performance, those dratted winds were at it in the Midwest again, this time causing a tent to falter outside Kilroy’s Sports Bar on Seventh Street in St. Louis.

At 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, soon after the end of the St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball game, unexpected winds rushed through the makeshift tent. The gusts only lasted a few seconds, but in that time the foundations of the tent faltered, pulling metal poles out of the ground and later leaving the enormous tent to rest against some elevated railroad tracks. According to STL Today, the injuries caused to patrons stuck in the tent during the accident were numerous. 100 people suffered injuries, one person died of a heart attack, four are still in critical condition, and 17 people had to be hospitalized.

Officials are saying the beer garden did have a permit and did meet safety standards, which would make the event an unfortunate accident. Anytime a structure or foundation comes down without precedent, makeshift or no, the event is harrowing, especially so when loss of life occurs. Pop Blend’s heart goes out to the people of St. Louis and especially those who decided to spend the day in the ill-fated beer garden.