Sara Bareilles: Indiana Stage Collapse "Felt Like a Bad Dream"

USMagazine, Monday, August 15, 2011, 12:35pm (PDT)

Singer Sara Bareilles is opening up about Saturday's devastating stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair, which killed five people and sent more than 40 others to the hospital.

"The accident at the Indiana State Fair felt like a bad dream," Bareilles, 31, told the New York Daily News in a statement Monday.

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Shortly after the "King of Anything" singer finished her opening set for country duo Sugarland, a gust of wind brought down the stage and its rigging.

"The weather changed in a matter of minutes and the stage collapsed in a matter of seconds," Bareilles explained. "We are shocked and saddened by this horribly tragic circumstance and we are all praying for those affected. The emergency response was incredibly speedy and the people of Indiana as well as the crews from the show were beyond brave and working hard to help each other."

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"My heart aches for the lives lost or injured as well as their families," Bareilles added. "We will do whatever we possibly can to help heal the hurt from this very sad day."

Sugarland band members Jennifer Nettles, 36, and Kristian Bush, 41, expressed their condolences via Twitter Saturday.

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"We're all right," they wrote. "We are praying for our fans, and the people of Indianapolis. We hope you'll join us. They need your strength."

In light of the fatal stage collapse, Bareilles and Sugarland have canceled their concert at the Iowa State Fair Sunday. The Indiana State Fair is scheduled to reopen Monday with a memorial service at 9 a.m.

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