State fair commission pays fine over stage collapse

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Updated: February 9, 2012 11:07PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indiana State Fair Commission has paid state regulators a $6,300 fine for workplace violations related to last August’s deadly stage collapse.

Officials say the commission paid the fine Wednesday, the same day the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a massive report on the Aug. 13 stage collapse.

Fair Commission spokeswoman Stephanie McFarland says the group won’t contest OSHA’s findings.

OSHA cited the fair commission for failing to conduct proper safety evaluations of its concert venues. The agency also said fair officials’ emergency plans were inadequate.

Seven people died and 58 others were injured after high winds from a severe thunderstorm swept across the fairgrounds, topping outdoor stage rigging just before a scheduled performance by country duo Sugarland.