Overview
- A large rented event tent catastrophically failed during EastLake Community Church’s 20th-anniversary outdoor service, leaving one person dead and 22 injured while congregants were being dismissed.
- Of the 22 injured, 11 were taken to local hospitals and 11 were treated and released at the scene, Bedford County officials said.
- County and fire officials say a severe thunderstorm with outflow winds moved through the area and they believe the weather caused the structure to fail.
- The tent had passed a Bedford County Division of Building Inspections review three days earlier and investigators are using aerial imagery and on-site evidence to establish exactly how the collapse occurred.
- The church held a memorial service for the deceased and officials and local leaders have mobilized emergency and community support as investigators continue their work and officials review safety practices for large temporary tents.