Moment of silence honors state fair victims

INDIANAPOLIS -- Visitors and staff of the Indiana State Fair observed a moment of silence Monday night to commemorate one year passed since last year's deadly stage rigging collapse.

The moment of silence was planned to remember, but Greg Johnson, who was at the concert when the rigging came down, said he can't forget.

"The primal screaming, something that you never hear unless someone looks down and sees their loved one dead or split in two," said Johnson.

During the silence, there was no gaming, riding or eating at the Indiana State Fair.

Johnson shared the moment with other people who were at the fair one year ago to the date.

"I think it's a good way to handle it, I think the plaque is very nice, and I don't think it hurts our kids to remember that life isn't always perfect and that things aren't there's tragedy that happens," said fair goer Heather Purett.

The moment of silence began at 8:46 p.m., the time investigators say first responders got the call to head to the grandstand after high winds sent the stage rigging crashing onto the crowd of Sugarland fans.

The accident killed seven people, including local cheerleading coach Megan Toothman, and injured 58 others.

"It happened, you remembered it, but you continue on," said fairgoer Doug Hession.

"It's unbelievable," said Kimberly Byrd, whose brother Nathan was killed in the collapse. "It's just a heartfelt thing you can't explain. It's a loss. It's a horrible loss, and I feel that I want to pray for everyone that's involved."