More than 12 hurt as stage collapses at Indiana high school

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — More than a dozen students suffered minor injuries after a stage packed with dancing and clapping youths collapsed during a musical performance at a central Indiana high school, authorities said today.

Capt. Charles Hollowell of the Westfield Police Department said all the students injured in the collapse Thursday evening were "doing really well," including a girl initially reported in critical condition. She was the only student still being treated at a hospital Friday morning, Hollowell said.

Authorities said a large group of students was on the stage during the grand finale of the "American Pie" concert at Westfield High School when the floor of the stage collapsed into the orchestra pit below.

Westfield Washington Schools Superintendent Mark Keen said it appeared that a cover that is placed over the pit for some productions had given way.

The State Fire Marshal's office, Indiana State Police and Indiana's workplace-safety agency were investigating the collapse and would "make every effort to prevent this or worse from happening in the future," Indiana Gov. Mike Pence said in a statement.

Keen said the school was gathering stage records for investigators to scrutinize.

Pence said he was "relieved beyond words" that no one was killed or seriously injured.