Victim In VA Church Tent Collapse Identified: Report

BEDFORD COUNTY, VA — Robert Stouffer, 85, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, has been identified as the man killed when a tent collapsed during an outdoor church service in Moneta Friday night, according to reports.

WFXR reports that Stouffer was killed when high winds blew through the area at around 6:45 p.m.

Troy Keaton, the non-denominational church’s senior pastor, said he had just walked up to the stage to tell the group to go to their cars when a gust of wind picked up the tent.

“Sadly one of our dear brothers suffered a fatal injury,” he said in a statement on social media. “Our hearts are broken for his precious family.”

Eleven people were taken to local hospitals , while 11 others were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

According to officials, the tent had passed an inspection conducted by the Bedford County Division of Building Inspections on Tuesday.