OTTAWA - Cheap Trick is asking for a full account of what went wrong when a stage it was performing on toppled during a violent summer gale at Ottawa Bluesfest.
Thousands of people scurried for cover as scaffolding buckled during the band's set earlier this month. Four people -- including the group's truck driver -- were hurt in the incident.
In a note posted to Cheap Trick's website, the band's manager requests more information on the cause of the frightening event.
Manager Dave Frey points out that other temporary structures remained intact and asks if there may have been a design flaw.
Ontario's Ministry of Labour is investigating the incident, and the band says it is "actively participating" in the inquiry.
Frey said the veteran band wants to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
"We simply want to know: what are the companies and organizers doing to protect the next act and the next audience?" Frey said in the online message, posted Thursday.
"Every act and every fan ought to be asking the same question when attending an outside musical event."
The collapse occurred July 17, the final day of the 12-day music showcase.
Bluesfest, one of North America's largest musical events, features some of the best international talent appearing on various stages throughout the festival.
"Was it a design flaw? Was it an implementation mistake? These are important questions that must be answered," said Frey.
