Kane County Cougars, Caterers Sued by Students Injured in August Storm

The Kane County Cougars and a catering business are being sued for injuries incurred by two St. Charles East students and a Northern Illinois University grad at a volunteer event last August at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, the Daily Herald reports.

On Aug. 4, a Patch reader initially said a tent went down at the ballpark campus, injuring two people. The storm knocked down trees and power lines.

The Kane County Chronicle later that day reported that Mary Gaffney, then a Northern Illinois University student, was one of two people injured. Gaffney's father, Kevin, told the paper at the time that she suffered a fractured skull after a pole or 2-by-4 knocked her unconscious.

Weather spotters reported wind gusts of up to 60 mph that Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. The strong winds knocked down trees, loosened tree branches and took down power lines in Batavia and Geneva.

Two St. Charles East seniors join Mary Gaffney in the lawsuit: Mary's younger sister, Abigail, who was bruised in the leg, and Erin Gautille, whose wrist, elbow and ribs were broken, the Daily Herald reports.

Each plaintiff is seeking more than $50,000 in damages.

Also named in the lawsuit is Sports Catering LLC.