The mastermind behind Glastonbury’s iconic Pyramid Stage, Bill Harkin, told Event we are running the risk of a similar calamity here because inadequate stages are being "overloaded" with equipment.
"Essentially it is down to the design of the stage systems," he explained in an exclusive chat.
"Many of today’s stages are based purely on lighting truss with flat PVC roof grids and truss legs. They just can’t be expected to take the weight of modern technology like LED screens that can weigh tonnes."
According to Harkin this type of staging is adequate in normal circumstances, but not in the kind of weather seen in Belgium and the US, where five people were killed and 40 injured at the Sugarland Festival in Indianapolis when a ‘freak wind’ led to the collapse of stage earlier this month.
"If you look at the video from Sugarland you’ll see the first thing that happens is one of the roof sheets comes off, causing a twist to occur in the roof grid, then the legs start breaking and the PA system is one of the first things to hit the ground," he added.
It has been reported at least five people have died and around 100 were injured when two stages collapsed during a storm at The Pukkelpop Festival yesterday (18 August).
Organisers have now cancelled the event, which was set to go on until Saturday "out of respect for the victims".
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