Former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson was all pumped for his show in United States Colorado when the weather decided to play spoilsport. A freak hailstorm hit the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre, an open-air venue where the concert was supposed to occur, on Wednesday night (June 21). Hail up to the size of tennis balls rained down heavily on punters, sending them running for cover, reports Consequence Of Sound. Seven people had to be rushed to local hospitals, and 80-90 others were treated at the venue for injuries such as bruises and cuts. Some also suffered damage to their vehicles.
The storm rolled in at around 9 p.m. local time, causing the concert to be delayed after already having been postponed once earlier. As the hail continued to fall, fans took shelter wherever they could find it – some cramming themselves under boxes and signs, others hiding in bathrooms and other areas of the venue. The West Metro Fire Rescue said dozens of people were injured, with some suffering broken bones and bruises. Seven were rushed to the hospital, but none of their injuries are thought to be life-threatening.
Videos posted to social media showed the chaos as people tried to find safe shelter. Some were forced to flee the venue, with two 16-year-old girls hiding in a bathroom stall for over an hour. One of them told KDVR that the hail had pelted her so hard it broke her finger and gave her a concussion. She also claimed her car’s windshield was damaged.
Some punters waited inside their vehicles, while others were forced to seek refuge in nearby shops. According to Fox 31 Denver, the storm caused extensive damage to many cars at the venue. Some were left undrivable, while others were stranded after the heavy rains swept away their vehicle.
Concertgoers were left frustrated at the concert’s cancellation, with some slamming the venue for not being more prepared for such a severe weather event. One fan tweeted that the venue should have canceled at the first delay. Ridiculous.
The rescheduled date for the Louis Tomlinson concert is yet to be announced. Until then, fans will have to wait to see their idol perform live once again. The singer-songwriter was part of the iconic boyband One Direction along with Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, and Zayn Malik. The band broke up in 2015, and Tomlinson has focused on his solo career. He’s currently working on his second album. He has been nominated for multiple awards this year for his music. He has already won several, including the Billboard Music Award for Top New Artist and the American Music Award for Favorite Male Artist. He’s also won the BMI Award for Song of the Year and was nominated for an iHeartRadio Music Award. CLICK HERE for more music and pop culture news.