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Father, daughter killed in circus tent collapse

Two people were killed and more than a dozen others were hospitalized after a deadly tent collapse in New Hampshire.

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“We lost two lives – a father and a daughter – at an event that was supposed to be fun”, Gov. Maggie Hassan told local TV station WMUR.

“Most everybody played a role in helping get some of the people trapped in the tent out”, he said.

“Unfortunately there was a father and daughter that perished in this incident”, Degnan told reporters by the site of the collapse, in the town of Lancaster, about 90 miles north of the state capital of Concord. Additionally they have been speaking to survivors and witnesses.

The accident happened at half-past five in the evening when the first of the two scheduled circus shows was about to begin.

“The tent at the fairgrounds collapsed as 100 spectators were watching a traveling circus”.

Degnan said he had spoken to the operator, Sarasota, Florida-based Walker global Events. So, he stated, there was ample time to get individuals to security.

Asked whether it was possible that criminal charges could be brought Degnan said: “The investigation is in its very early stages and we’ll look at every detail from the investigation to see if things were done properly”.

Kimble confirmed the National Weather Service had issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the area at about 1pm and then a severe thunderstorm warning at 5:23pm – seven minutes before the deadly tent collapse.

He says he is aware of the 2 who died and the person is the woman’s grandfather.

A young man and girl were killed, 22 others were injured.

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Fifteen people were taken to the area hospital with injuries, Degnan said.

Investigators inspect the site of a circus tent that collapsed Monday during a show by the Walker Brothers International Circus at the Lancaster Fair grounds in Lancaster N.H. Tuesday Aug. 4 2015