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3 People Injured After Ultra Music Fest Stage Equipment Collapses

MIAMI (CBS4) - Miami Fire Rescue crews were on the scene at Bayfront Park in Downtown Miami after several stage elements collapsed Thursday night.

Four people were injured when a suspended LED light and screen display fell as people were working on the stage below, according to Miami Fire Lt. Ignatius Carroll.

Two of the people injured were trapped under the equipment and were transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in critical condition. Lt. Carroll described their injuries as "life threatening."

One other person was transported to the hospital for injuries sustained during the accident and another person was treated on scene.

The collapse occurred while crews were setting up for the Ultra Music Festival taking place for two weekends beginning Friday.

Late Thursday, organizers released this statement:

Today as preparations were being made for this weekend's Ultra Music Festival, a section of an LED screen fell and injured two workers.  Fire Rescue was on site so there was a rapid response.  Festival organizers are working with, and supporting, authorities as they investigate the details behind the accident.

CBS4's Lauren Pastrana reports that all work on the main stage has been suspended until the morning, when engineers arrive to assess the stability of the structure. The other stages will also be examined to ensure they are structurally sound. It is unclear at this time if the music festival will continue as scheduled or be delayed.

The chaos of evening was a stark contrast to the excitement during the day, when hundreds of people lined up to pick up their tickets to the weekend festival at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami.

"I flew all the way in from Seattle last night. I'm really excited," Ron Lewno said.

He will be attending both weekends of the festival.

"This is the best show ever with the best DJs in the world," Santiago Vazquez said.

At $370 dollars a pop per weekend, the party doesn't come cheap.

But those who dish out the cash said it's money well-spent.

"They're not that bad for the amount of entertainment and stuff they bring and all the special DJs, I really enjoy it," Lewno said. He paid $500 to attend both weekends.

"I got each weekend for $150, so I got for about half of what everybody else paid," Juan Gonzalez said. "It's worth it though."

Some local businesses said the festival is worth it, too.

Eddie Padilla with the Downtown Miami Partnership said several local shops and restaurants are looking forward to bringing in top dollar over the next two weekends.

"I know some businesses tell me it's one of the best weekends of their entire year," Padilla explained.

Cops said they're ready.

They have a traffic plan in place that takes effect Friday morning.

Undercover officers will be sprinkled throughout the massive crowds.

"The reason for that is because we have to maintain order and we're here for the safety of our citizens," Sgt. Freddie Cruz said.

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