Americas

Americas

1 dead, dozens hurt in St. Louis after high winds blow down beer tent near Busch Stadium

29 April 2012 04:26 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. One person died Saturday and more than a dozen were taken to a hospital with injuries after high winds blew over a beer tent near Busch Stadium in St. Louis, APA reports quoting Associated Press.

At least five others were critically injured and up to 100 people were treated at the scene after straight-line winds whipped through a large tent near Kilroy’s Sports Bar, where about 200 people were celebrating after the Cardinals beat Milwaukee 7-3 earlier in the afternoon, officials said.

Eddie Roth, a spokesman for the St. Louis Department of Public Safety, said winds of about 50 mph shattered aluminum poles that held up the tent, which was located south of the stadium. The force of the wind blew the tent onto an adjacent railroad bridge.

"It was crazy, scary," said Annie Randall, whose family owns Kilroy’s. "We’re just so sorry this happened."

Two hours after the tent collapsed, tornado sirens were sounding across St. Louis as a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado rolled through. Several people at Kilroy’s were ushered into the basement of the business until the storm passed.

Bar owner Art Randall told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch things were flying through the air sideways and metal chairs were being flung across the beer garden when the storm hit.

Roth said the man who died appeared to be in his 50s, but he didn’t know the extent of injuries sustained by other victims.

Roth also said the tent had passed inspection and it didn’t appear there would be any violation, although the investigation is ongoing.