One dead, 22 hospitalized after tent collapse at Virginia church
A tent collapsed during a service at EastLake Community Church in Bedford County, Virginia, killing one person and sending 22 others to hospitals, officials said.
Bedford County, Va. – One person was pronounced dead and 22 others were hospitalized after an outdoor tent collapsed during a celebration service at EastLake Community Church on Friday night, local fire and rescue officials said. The incident occurred as a wind gust lifted the structure, which was covering the congregation for the church's 20th-anniversary service.
Firefighters, emergency medical personnel and law-enforcement responders arrived quickly and began treating the injured on site. By the evening, 11 of the hospitalized patients had been released, according to Bedford County Fire & Rescue.
State and local officials expressed condolences and thanked first responders. Governor Abigail Spanberger said she was in contact with the response team and would continue to support the community. Congressman Morgan Griffith and State Senator Mark Peake also issued statements offering prayers for those affected.
EastLake Community Church posted a notice that the tent failure was caused by severe weather and that first responders were providing care. Carilion Clinic confirmed it was coordinating with emergency teams to assist as needed. The investigation into the cause of the collapse is ongoing.
