7 hurt when festival tent collapses in severe wind

PALOS HILLS — Officials in a southwest Chicago suburb say seven workers were hurt Monday when strong winds mowed down a large festival tent during a cleanup operation.

Palos Hills Police Deputy Chief James Boie (BOY) says the injured include three city employees, a Cook County sheriff's deputy and three others.

The victims had minor injuries. The sheriff's deputy, who had been struck in the head by a pole, was expected to be released from the hospital Monday.

The injured include two non-violent, misdemeanor offenders who had been sentenced to community service. The deputy was there supervising those workers. Another worker is an employee of the tent rental company.

Boie described the destroyed tent as "shredded" by the wind. The tent was part of the four-day Palos Hills Friendship Fest, which ended Sunday.