7 hurt when large tent blows down at southwest suburban college
SUN-TIMES MEDIA WIRE July 11, 2011 11:58AM
Remains of a tent at the Palos Hills Friendship Fest on 88th Avenue after a storm blew over the tent in Palos Hills, Ill., Monday, July, 11, 2011. | Joseph P. Meier~Sun-Times Media
Updated: July 11, 2011 5:00PM
Seven people were hurt Monday morning when strong winds and a thunderstorm struck as they were taking down a large tent on the Moraine Valley Community College campus in southwest suburban Palos Hills.
The seven injured were among those cleaning up after the weekend’s Palos Hills Friendship Fest. Palos Hills Police Deputy Chief James Boie said the seven were taken to area hospitals with minor injuries after strong winds caused one of the festival tents to collapse. All were expected to be released Monday.
“The wind just came out of nowhere and took that tent down,” Boie said.
Among those hurt was a Cook County Sheriff’s deputy who had been supervising non-violent jail inmates on work release. The deputy was struck in the head by a tent pole and taken to Advocate Christ Community Hospital, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Two inmates were taken to Palos Heights Community Hospital.
The others injured included three Palos Hills city workers and a representative with the tent rental company.
