Police Say Westfield Stage Collapse Was Due To Lack Of Support

Police in suburban Indianapolis say an orchestra pit cover that collapsed during a high school musical production, sending several students falling, had been replaced earlier this year and wasn’t properly designed.

The Westfield Police Department on Tuesday announced the findings of its investigation into the April 23 collapse that injured 17 students.

Capt. Charles Hollowell says a school employee purchased building materials and constructed an orchestra pit lid to replace the one that had been removed in January. The replacement lid lacked the metal supports that the original had.

Hollowell says no charges will be filed.