Castle St balcony collapses (+ video)

St John staff and bystanders help the injured. Photo: Gregor Richardson
St John staff and bystanders help the injured. Photo: Gregor Richardson

Eight people with serious head injuries and fractures were taken to Dunedin Hospital after a balcony collapsed at a Six60 concert in Castle St.

In all, 17 people were transported to hospital after the incident last night.

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St John operations manager Daniel Ohs said eight patients were transported by ambulance with ‘‘multiple serious injuries'', including head wounds and bone fractures. Six patients were taken to hospital by police with minor to moderate injuries.

Four ambulances and a rapid response vehicle attended.

In a statement, police said about 1500 people were at the event and were on roofs and balconies.

"Police and Campus Watch were attempting to clear people from the roofs and reduce the number of people on balconies when one of the balconies collapsed, throwing people to the ground.''

People fell about 3m and collapsed decking landed on people in the courtyard area. The condition of two of the injured was described as serious but not life-threatening, police said.

Worksafe New Zealand would be attending the scene today.

People, including police and Campus Watch staff, surrounded the injured in the moments after the collapse about 7.45pm.  

Band told to play on 

The Otago Daily Times understands police and security staff instructed Six60 to continue playing so emergency services staff would not be hampered when tending to the injured.

Some people continued to party while others, including friends of the victims, stood outside the venue in shock as they watched people being loaded into emergency services vehicles on stretchers. A temporary space to care for some of the injured was set up at the back of the address in Cumberland St.

Dunedin Hospital had responded ‘‘well'' to the collapse, the Southern District Health Board said in a statement. The hospital activated its emergency operations centre to deal with the incident.

Seventeen patients were assessed in the emergency department. Earlier in the evening, people packed balconies and sat on roofs of nearby flats in anticipation of the event.

Before the show, Six60 bassist Chris Mac said the band decided to play in the courtyard of 598 Castle St because it was not possible to play at number 660 due to the number of people expected to attend.

The band played at 660 Castle St, where the band was formed, last year.

‘‘We actually hadn't seen the [new] area before we turned up this afternoon,'' Mr Mac said.

Six60 tweeted a message shortly after the collapse: ‘‘Very upset that people were hurt tonight. Massive thanks to the local police and security who were working with us to help keep people safe.''

Hundreds of others expressed their shock via social media.

Dunedin city councillor Aaron Hawkins tweeted: ‘‘A terrible situation. Thoughts with those who have been hurt, and the @SIX60 lads because what a nightmare.''

Former Dunedin student Awina Hotene tweeted: ‘‘Shout out to @SIX60 for the way that they handled the awful event that happened tonight. Thoughts are with everyone injured.

Concert not sanctioned, says university 

''A University of Otago spokeswoman said the concert was not sanctioned by the university and was not on university grounds.

‘‘The first that university staff heard of this surprise concert was via social media.

‘‘This was not a university or official event of any sort.‘‘

However, once the university confirmed late this afternoon that the event was to take place at a private property in North Dunedin, its own security staff, Campus Watch, attended along with the police as a precaution and fortunately were present to help out with first aid to the injured immediately after the balcony collapsed.

''University of Otago vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne visited the scene last night and gave her full support to affected students and families.

‘‘She is deeply concerned about the events of tonight and will be seeking as much information as possible in coming days,'' the spokeswoman said.

Students provided ‘‘valuable assistance'' at the scene.

‘‘Our thoughts and deepest concerns are with the students, their families and friends at this time,'' she said.

Otago University Students' Association president Laura Harris said the organisation was ‘‘saddened'' by the news of the collapse and would focus on supporting students affected.

One lane on Cumberland St was blocked for about an hour as emergency services worked.

Before the collapse, University of Otago campus police officer Senior Constable John Woodhouse, of Dunedin, told the ODT police were present to keep students safe.

‘‘It's just a matter of keeping them off the roofs and keeping them safe.''

Snr Const Woodhouse and five other officers, tried to clear balconies soon after speaking to the ODT about 6pm.

rhys.chamberlain@odt.co.nz

 


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