Friday, 4 March 2016 - 10:14pm |
Southern

Balcony collapse in Dunedin

1 min read

Tonight there was a large concert playing in Castle Street in Dunedin in a courtyard space between private rented accommodation.

Numbers attending the concert were estimated at approximately up to 1500 persons in a relatively confined area.

A number of people climbed onto rooves of houses in the area and a number were on balcony's overlooking the concert venue.

Police and Campus Watch were attempting to clear people from the rooves and reduce the number of people on balconys when one of the balcony's collapsed throwing people to the ground approximately 3 metres and collapsed decking landing on people in the courtyard area.

Initial assessments indicate a number of people were injured and were removed from the scene by Ambulance, Fire and Police.

14 people have so far been treated at Dunedin Hospital in relation to this incident.  The condition of two of the injured are described as serious but not life threatening. The remaining 12 are being treated for a variety of less serious injuries.

Police have worked with Fire and Ambulance to assist with removing those injured.

Police will remain in the area during the night and have been liaising with the Hospital in respect of those injured.

Worksafe New Zealand will be attending the scene.