Virginia Church Tent Collapse Kills 1 and Sends 11 to Hospital as Storm Cell Hits Moneta
Updated
Updated · WDBJ · Jun 13
Virginia Church Tent Collapse Kills 1 and Sends 11 to Hospital as Storm Cell Hits Moneta
3 articles · Updated · WDBJ · Jun 13
Summary
Bedford County officials said one person died after a tent collapsed during a Friday outdoor service at Eastlake Community Church in Moneta, with 11 people taken to hospitals and 11 treated at the scene.
Just after 6:45 p.m., a severe storm cell moved through the area with heavy rain, lightning and strong winds, and officials said those conditions caused the tent structure to fail.
Bedford 911 classified the call as a mass casualty event, and firefighters already at the church began rescues before crews from Roanoke County, Franklin County, Roanoke and Lynchburg joined the response.
The tent had passed a Bedford County building inspection on June 9, and officials said the collapse remains under investigation.