15 Hurt When Circus Elephant Causes Scaffolding To Collapse

INDIANAPOLIS -- More than a dozen children were injured Saturday morning at the Indiana State Fairgrounds when a circus elephant they were waiting to ride got startled and caused some scaffolding to give way.

The scaffolding stairway leading people to the elephant ride collapsed just before 10 a.m. inside the Pepsi Coliseum where the Murat Shrine Circus was being held, said Indianapolis Fire Department spokeswoman Capt. Rita Reith.

"The platform caught on the tarp and jostled, and a circus worker fell off of it. It's about a 7-foot drop," said circus spokesman Randy Kron.

The worker was treated for a minor arm injury.

At least 15 children between the ages of 8 and 12 years old were taken to first aid stations at the site, but most suffered only bumps and scrapes, Reith said.

Ted Vatnsdal's 5-year-old son, Alex, was riding the elephant when the commotion happened.

"He was nervous. It was noisy and stuff started falling down," he said. "But I think the workers did a good job of controlling the situation."

It's unclear what caused the elephant to become startled.

The circus continued as scheduled.