Lollapalooza evacuated because of thunderstorms

Saturday August 4, 2012 5:15 PM

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago police are evacuating fans from the Lollapalooza music festival because of a line of advancing thunderstorms.

Police spokesman Officer Darryl Baety says the festival was ordered shut down at 3:30 p.m. after a severe thunderstorm warning was issued.

Festival-goers are being evacuated from downtown Chicago's Grant Park to underground evacuation and shelter sites along Michigan Avenue.

The Red Hot Chili Peppers are scheduled to play last on the main stage Saturday. The three-day event concludes Sunday and is sold out.

Shelby Meade, a spokeswoman for promoter C3 Presents, says the company regrets having to suspend the show, but that safety comes first.

Powerful winds from an advancing storm were responsible for last summer's deadly stage rigging collapse at the Indiana State Fair.

©2013 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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