Father And Daughter Killed After Circus Tent Collapsed In New Hampshire Storm

At least 100 people were under the Walker Brothers International Circus tent Monday evening when a severe storm swept through the area.

A father and daughter were killed Monday after a circus tent collapsed amid stormy weather in Lancaster, New Hampshire, state fire marshal Bill Degnan said Tuesday. In addition to those who died, 34 people were injured -- some seriously.

#BREAKING: Officials confirm 2 people have died in #Lancaster, NH tent collapse. http://t.co/gCKw4XDW4k

The identity of the two deceased victims are being withheld pending family notification, Degnan said.

#lancasternh circus tent down..praying for the people inside

At least 100 people were under the tent just before 6 p.m. when a severe storm moved through the area, the Union Leader reported.

NH State Police say 250 people under Lancaster circus tent when collapsed. Injuries unknown. @mhayward @UnionLeader

“There was a bad storm that came through this area, and according to the National Weather Service, there was one-inch hail, 60 mile-per-hour wind and severe lightning,” Degnan said Tuesday night, the Union Leader reported.

BuzzFeed News put in a call to the Walker Brothers International Circus for comment. It is not clear if any of the company's performers were among those injured in the collapse.

The two shows scheduled to be performed Tuesday night in Bradford, Vermont have been canceled.

A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for the area at the time. One meteorologist estimated the winds would have reached 60 mph at the time of the collapse.

Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Lancaster NH, Northumberland NH until 6:15 PM EDT

The state activated its emergency operations center, with at least 22 people believed to be injured.

The State Emergency Operations Center has been activated

Multiple fire departments responded to the scene, and investigators were also en route, WMTW reported.

It was the second fatal tent collapse in as many days after one man was killed and more than a dozen others were injured Sunday when a tent was blown off its moorings and collapsed during a sudden thunderstorm near Chicago.

Skip to footer