A sudden thunderstorm rolled over the campus of West Virginia University on Saturday afternoon, prompting a weather delay during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Kendrick Family Ballpark.
As officials waited for conditions to improve, a powerful gust lifted an event tent that had been set up for spectators, sending it careening into the crowd.
Emergency responders quickly attended to the injured, and five people were transported to a local hospital for treatment; their conditions have not been disclosed publicly.
WVU Athletics issued a statement confirming the incident and saying they are working closely with health care providers to support those affected.
The Game Resumes
After roughly 90 minutes, the skies cleared and play resumed, ultimately ending with a 17-1 victory for the Mountaineers over Cal Poly.
The win secured West Virginia University's first-ever berth in the College World Series, a milestone that has electrified the fan base and highlighted the team's resilience.
A Community Response
Local officials praised the swift actions of first responders and expressed solidarity with the families of those injured, while the university announced plans to review safety protocols for future events.