Split-Second Decision Likely Saved Sugarland

The moments leading up the tragic stage collapse in Indianapolis on Saturday (8/13) will be analyzed for some time, but word emerged Monday that were it not for a decision to hold Sugarland back from the stage for just a moment, they would have been walking on just as the rigging collapsed.

Associated Press reports that Sugarland tour manager Hellen Rollens was with the band, who were preparing to make their stage entrance. She saw the sky and told them to hold back for a minute.

It was then that the wind gusts kicked up, culminating in the collapse of the rigging surrounding the stage. The scaffolding then collapsed on stage crew and lurched forward into the audience, ultimately killing five people and sending 45 to the hospital.

Sugarland manager Gail Gellman told the Associated Press that others felt it was safe to go on, but Rollens felt something wasn't quite right and went with her intuition.

The explosive sounds of the collapse sent the band and crew with them scrambling for cover and huddling against a wall, as it wasn't clear that the space they were in wouldn't crumble around them next.

They eventually made their way out of the dust and debris to their tour bus to regroup and try to understand what happened.

The duo, singer Jennifer Nettles and singer-instrumentalist Kristian Bush are "devastated," says Gellman, who was with another management client in Las Vegas on Sunday but met up with Nettles on Sunday.

"There are moments I can see great clarity in her eyes, and there are moments I can see her tears well up so much that I just don't know what to do," Gellman told AP. "She's just processing and wants to encourage people to be together, to support each other."

Despite the complete destruction of their stage set, the band's tour with Sara Bareiles is expected to continue Thursday in Albuquerque.