14 Injured After Structure Collapses at Backstreet Boys Concert in Oklahoma
Keith Griner/Getty Images
The Backstreet Boys perform at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Dec. 12, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Severe weather conditions caused a structure to collapse at a Backstreet Boys concert in Oklahoma Saturday evening (Aug. 18), according to reports from local media and group members Nick Carter and Kevin Richardson. Fourteen concertgoers waiting for the show to begin were injured and treated by emergency personnel, then transported to local hospitals.
Richardson, set to perform with the Backstreet Boys at the outdoor pavilion at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, referred to the structure that collapsed as a "tent" and said that crews had arrived to help those who were hurt.
We never want to put our fans in harm's way and with tonight's weather and the injuries from earlier, we have decided to cancel the show and will attempt to reschedule. The most important thing is for everyone to get home safely and we will see you all very soon!
— backstreetboys (@backstreetboys) August 19, 2018
"Hey folks! Severe weather, high winds and rain just passed thru here in Thackerville, OK. Emergency crews are on the scene as tent collapsed and some folks who were seeking shelter were injured. Waiting to determine damage to our stage and production," he posted on Twitter.
Carter also tweeted: "Waiting and praying for our fans that were injured. If we can perform we're ready to go. But safety is first."
Hey folks! Severe weather, high winds and rain just passed thru here in Thackerville, OK. Emergency crews are on the seen as tent calapsed and some folks who were seeking shelter were injured. Waiting to determine damage to our stage and production. Status of show TBD. ✌--❤️
— Kevin Richardson (@kevinrichardson) August 18, 2018
Waiting and praying for our fans that were injured. If we can perform were ready to go. But safety is first. pic.twitter.com/0GlB9fbmoc
— Nick Carter (@nickcarter) August 19, 2018
KOCO-TV, an Oklahoma City ABC affiliate station, reports the incident occurred around 5:30 p.m. local time. The news outlet says people were evacuated due to an oncoming storm and people were injured when "something happened inside" the pavilion, according to WinStar's Kym Koch.
WinStar released the following statement to ET: "All patrons in the area were asked to move and to seek shelter from the storm. However, about 150 patrons who were standing in line for the Backstreet Boys concert did not heed staff's warning ... the storm hit and knocked over the concert entrance trusses with 70-80 mile an hour winds and heavy rain. 14 people were treated at the scene and then transported to local hospitals. Two have already been released."
Dallas reporter Allison Harris of Dallas tweeted photos from an attendee on the scene and wrote, "Friend at the Backstreet Boys concert at Winstar Casino says an awning fell on people. She estimates 10 ambulances responded, paramedics took people out on stretchers."
She later shared a video tweeted to her from someone at the concert from "right after it fell. Several people hurt including a young girl. Several fans spring to action including former army nurse who's husband was hurt."
Friend at the Backstreet Boys concert at Winstar Casino says an awning fell on people. She estimates 10 ambulances responded, paramedics took people out on stretchers. pic.twitter.com/egU2jJJEHS
— Allison Harris (@AllisonFox4News) August 18, 2018
@AllisonFox4News Right after it fell. Several people hurt including a young girl. Several fans spring to action including former army nurse who's husband was hurt. pic.twitter.com/baprxWyKbN
— Nikole Berry (@NikoleJagow) August 19, 2018
Although WinStar initially said on social media that "the show will go on rain or shine," Richardson posted news of the concert's cancelation later in the evening. "Update... unfortunately, due to damage sustained in the storm earlier this evening, we are unable to perform the show tonight. Safety is always #1. Keep your tickets because, Backstreet WILL BE BACK!" he said.
Update... unfortunately, due to damage sustained in the storm earlier this evening, we are unable to perform the show tonight. Safety is always #1. Keep your tickets because, Backstreet WILL BE BACK! ✌--❤️
— Kevin Richardson (@kevinrichardson) August 19, 2018