THE CANADIAN PRESS — OTTAWA - The main stage at Ottawa Bluesfest collapsed Sunday night during a severe thunderstorm that sent thousands of people running for cover.
The stage collapsed shortly before 8 p.m. ET while the band Cheap Trick was performing. Eyewitnesses said the band members were thrown off their feet.
"Everyone is okay and we are so lucky to be alive and hope that all the fans are okay too," the band, best known for hits including "Surrender", "I Want You to Want Me" and "The Flame", said in a message posted on Facebook.
Dramatic video of the moment the stage collapsed was posted here.
WATCH: Several fans captured the mayhem on video during and after the collapse:
Photo by m.gifford on Flickr