2 Dead, 22 Injured After Circus Tent Collapses In NH

LANCASTER, N.H. (CBS/AP) - Officials say a young man and a girl were killed and at least 22 people were injured when a severe storm blew down a circus tent in northern New Hampshire.

State Fire Marshal William Degnan said late Monday night that the injured were taken to four regional hospitals.

The accident happened around 5:30 p.m. as the first of two scheduled shows was getting underway at the Lancaster fairgrounds, about 90 miles north of the state capital in Concord. Degnan said Sarasota, Fla.-based Walker International Events was scheduled to do the shows Monday before moving on to Vermont on Tuesday.

Degnan said the identities of the victims, both spectators, wouldn't be released until their families were notified.

Authorities say 250 people were inside the tent when it collapsed as a strong storm moved through New Hampshire.

Gov. Maggie Hassan says state officials are monitoring the situation.

The National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the area during the time of the collapse.

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