US service members injured after severe storm at McConnell Air Force Base forces air show cancellation

Six U.S. service members and other civilians were injured Sunday at McConnell Air Force Base after a severe storm forced the cancellation of a planned air show that was expected to draw thousands of people.

McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, Kansas, reported that 10 people suffered “minor injuries in a slow-moving, wet microburst that brought high winds, lightning and rain to the base.”

Six of the injured were military or medical personnel while four were civilian vendors, base spokesman John Van Winkle said in a statement to Fox News Digital.

Each of them suffered “minor injuries,” he said.

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An airman and a civilian were transported to a local hospital with minor injuries. All were outside on the flight line when the high winds occurred, Van Winkle said.

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Spectators had not yet entered the event area due to bad weather.

Sunday’s portion of the McConnell Frontiers in Flight Airshow was canceled earlier in the day due to storm concerns. McConnell said a slow-moving, moist microburst lingered over the base in the morning. That microburst brought wind gusts of up to 54 mph to the McConnell flight line.

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“Due to the damage to the services, the base is unable to safely host an air show and has had to make the decision to cancel the air show,” Van Winkle said. “Safety is always our first priority at McConnell, especially when it comes to welcoming the community for an air show.”

Kansas State Trooper Joe Owen said the air show suffered “significant wind damage, including at least one injury.”

“As a result, the airshow is cancelled for today. Stay safe, everyone!” Owen wrote in a Facebook post that included a photo of an overturned plane.

Saturday’s portion of the air show attracted more than 65,000 visitors.

Source of the original article: US service members injured after severe storm at McConnell Air Force Base forces air show cancellation