1 dead and 22 injured after severe weather prompts outdoor tent failure at Virginia church
Damaging winds caused the tent to collapse during an outdoor service at EastLake Community Church in Moneta, Virginia, on Friday.
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BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – Severe weather caused an outdoor tent failure at a Virginia church service on Friday evening, resulting in 1 death and more than a dozen injuries.
Damaging winds caused the tent to collapse during a service at EastLake Community Church in Moneta, Virginia, on Friday.
According to officials in Bedford County, 11 people were transported to local hospitals by ambulance, while 11 others were treated at the scene for minor injuries. One person died at the scene of the collapse.
Outflow from a thunderstorm was responsible for blowing down the tents at EastLake Community Church in Moneta, with reports of some critical injuries, according to
(FOX Weather)
According to storm reports from the National Weather Service in Blacksburg, outflow from a nearby thunderstorm blew down two tents, with a number of injuries being reported.
The Mayor of Rocky Mount, Virginia, C. Holland Perdue, released a statement to FOX News Digital:
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the members of Eastlake Community Church and everyone affected by today’s tent collapse during an outdoor service in Bedford County. We are praying for those who were hurt, for their families, and for the entire church community during this difficult time."
A tent collapsed at EastLake Community Church in Bedford County due to a severe weather incident
(Don Shire)
A statement from EastLake Community Church said a service was being held to celebrate their 20th anniversary.
"Just as I had walked to the stage to release people to their cars, a burst of wind picked up the tent," the church said on Facebook.
"Sadly, one of our dear brothers suffered a fatal injury. Our hearts are broken for his precious family," the statement reads.
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Virginia Senator Mark Peake said in a post on X, "Our thoughts are with the entire Bedford community during this difficult time."
The area in Moneta was not under any severe weather warnings Friday evening, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
(Don Shire)
This is a developing story.