Fans Injured at Backstreet Boys Concert After Storm-Related Incident

"Heavy rains" and 70 to 80-mile-per-hour winds knocked over the venue's entrance trusses

By Elyse Dupre Aug 19, 2018 2:32 AMTags
Backstreet BoysMike Coppola/Getty Images for CMT

At least 14 fans were injured at a Backstreet Boys concert in Thackerville, Okla. on Saturday after a storm hit and knocked over the venue's entrance trusses.

The concert was held at The Colosseum within the WinStar World Casino and Resort. According to Kym Koch Thompson, a spokesperson for the organization, officials started evacuating concertgoers from the outdoor venue around 5:00 p.m. after observing lightning within four miles from the casino. While Thompson said patrons were asked to move and keep shelter from the storm, about 150 patrons waiting in line did not heed to their warning. 

Per Thompson, "the storm hit and knocked over the concert entrance trusses with 70 [to] 80 mile an hour winds and heavy rain" at around 5:30 p.m. The spokesperson said 14 people were treated at the scene and then taken to local hospitals. Two of the injured concertgoers have already been released. 

Thompson said Love County emergency responders, Lighthorse Police and Oklahoma Highway Patrol are already on the scene.

"We know that fans often suffer through inclement weather for their favorite acts," Thompson stated, "but this was an unusual event and our thoughts are with those who were injured during this storm."

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The concert has since been postponed. Kevin Richardson tweeted the announcement on Saturday.

"Update... unfortunately, due to damage sustained in the storm earlier this evening, we are unable to perform the show tonight," he wrote. "Safety is always #1. Keep your tickets because, Backstreet WILL BE BACK!"

The Backstreet Boys' official Twitter account released a statement, as well.

"We have been looking forward to a great show with the Backstreet Boys and 98* for many months," Thompson added, noting that 98 Degrees was also scheduled to perform. "While we were excited to welcome them to The Colosseum at WinStar, the results of serious weather in the area has caused the show to be postponed to a later date. Our primary concern is the safety of our patrons, event staff and artists and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused ticketholders. We will notify patrons of the new date and time. Tickets to the August 18 show will be honored at the new date."

Before the announcement, Nick Carter wrote that the band was "waiting and praying for our fans that were injured."

"If we can perform, [we're] ready to go," he tweeted. "But safety is first."