44. Ottawa Bluesfest Stage Collapse, Canada
Built: 2011
Collapsed: 2011
Est. Damages: $5,000*
The organizer of the Ottawa, Canada Bluesfest called the stage collapse that took place in 2011 a “freak situation.” The main stage collapsed after a storm hit the Bluesfest, and officials quickly shut down the event before anyone was performing on the stage. At the time, Cheap Trick was playing, but they left the stage when the storm clouds rolled in.
Ottawa Bluesfest Stage Collapse, Canada @mitchlafon / Twitter.com
There were still multiple injuries, including three hospitalizations. Lawsuits piled up against the owner of Bluesfest, who was told to turn over-engineering documentation, technical drawings, and other pertinent information about the stage’s construction. Fans were also asked to send in videos of the collapse for further investigation to determine if it really was a storm that caused the tragedy.