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Sugarland Tour Manager May Be Key To Stage Collapse Lawsuits

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LAS VEGAS, NV - AUGUST 27: Singer Jennifer Nettles (L) and guitarist/singer Kristian Bush of Sugarland perform at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in support of the album, "The Incredible Machine" August 27, 2011 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller, 2011 Getty Images)

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Published: 4/17/2012 7:51 am

Updated: 4/17/2012 8:13 am

MERRILLVILLE, Ind. (AP) - Sugarland's tour manager has become the focus of lawyers seeking millions in damages for the families of seven people who died and dozens who were injured in a deadly stage collapse at the 2011 Indiana State Fair.

Hellen Rollens is widely credited with saving the lives of the country duo by pulling them into a prayer circle just before the stage rigging collapsed in heavy winds.

Fair officials say they had a concert promoter ask the band to delay the show. But Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush say they were never asked.

Attorneys want to know if Rollens relayed officials' concerns to the band.

Merrillville attorney Kenneth Allen released excerpts of Nettles' video testimony Monday. Nettles says she didn't think it was the band's responsibility to evacuate fans.

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The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of WKRC-TV :: Cincinnati Weather and Forecasts, Cincinnati News, Breaking News, and Sports for the Cincinnati area, Ohio, northern Kentucky, Indiana, and the tristate area

jussayin11 - 4/17/2012 4:59 PM

2 Votes

Report User

i think the only people who are to blame are the ones who put the stage up and the fair officials for not evacuating the fans due to inclement weather. No where does it state that a band manager is resposible for this. it was a freak accident, but hey, when it comes to money we have to have someone else to pin the blame on at all times. smh, this shouldnt even make headlines its almost insulting to those who LOST A LOVED ONE to see a battle over whose to blame and whose going to pay for it. NO AMOUNT OF $$ will save those lives.

HammeringHank - 4/17/2012 10:34 AM

0 Votes

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to add insult to injury..this band is perfect example of how corporate and crappy country music has become. They should call themselves Garbageland

roscoe2 - 4/17/2012 9:09 AM

3 Votes

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the state should have canceled the show,if they knew about this wind gust, know state just wants to pass the buck. i blame the state.

barricade217 - 4/17/2012 9:05 AM

0 Votes

Report User

i read she said the band will play it was only rain.... really helen you'll get sued

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