DENVER (AP) — A storm pummeled concertgoers at Red Rocks Amphitheatre near Denver with golf ball-sized hail, sending them scurrying for cover, injuring dozens and forcing the cancellation of the show’s headliner, former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson.
Up to 90 people were treated for non-life-threatening injuries caused by Wednesday night’s storm, including seven who were taken to a hospital, West Metro Fire Rescue said. Some were hurt by the hail and others were hurt while trying to get away from the storm, sustaining injuries such as lacerations, bruises and broken bones, spokesperson Ronda Scholting said Thursday.
The hail piled up like snow in some spots in the amphitheater. The show was initially delayed because of the weather, with fans told to take shelter in their vehicles, according to tweets from the venue, which was carved out of a sedimentary rock formation in the foothills. It was later canceled.
Beth Nabi, 44, had flown to Denver from Dublin to watch one of her favorite musicians perform at the iconic venue. At around 7:15 p.m., she said could see lightning and thunder approaching in the distance. As the weather worsened, concertgoers were encouraged to seek shelter, but not wanting to give up hope on seeing Tomlinson, Nabi stuck around. She said the hail started falling while she was in a bathroom and that the space quickly filled up with other concertgoers who were trying to escape the falling ice.
