Source: Blabbermouth.net
More than forty people were injured when after lightning struck the Rock Am Ring festival in western Germany for the second straight year.
The incident happened sometime after 8:00 p.m. Friday (June 3) on the festival grounds in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz.
“A severe thunderstorm with lightning strikes has caused multiple injuries at the festival grounds in Mending,” organizers said in a statement on early Saturday morning. “Police, firefighters and the Red Cross responded and were able to reach those affected quickly.”
The organizers confirmed that at least 42 festivalgoers were injured by the lightning and were transported to area hospitals, including eight people who sustained serious injuries. One person was successfully resuscitated at the scene, according to the German Red Cross.
After the weather calmed down, performances resumed at about 9:45 p.m.
A spokeswoman for the organizers dismissed speculation that the three-day festival could be completely canceled due to possible further thunderstorms. The organizers had previously said lives were more important than rock ‘n’ roll.
Around 45,000 fans were in attendance for this year’s event, where some eighty bands were expected to participate.
Headlining this year’s Rock Am Ring and its sister event, Rock Im Park, in Nuremberg are BLACK SABBATH, RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS and VOLBEAT.
Last year, at least 33 people were injured when lightning struck the Rock Am Ring festival twice.
