Balcony Collapse Injures 70
A crowded balcony at a popular bar and casino collapsed Friday night, injuring at least 70 people, officials said Saturday.
Fire Chief Tom Maloney said seven of the injuries from the accident at the Diamond Horseshoe Casino were serious or critical, but the others did not appear to be life-threatening. It was not immediately clear what caused the 14-foot-high balcony to collapse.
“Most of the victims appear to be young folks enjoying a night out,” Maloney said.
An official at Polson’s St. Joseph Hospital said 54 people were treated there for injuries.
Emergency crews responding to a call found a “chaotic scene,” Maloney said. “There were injured people all over the ground, a lot of people wanting immediate help,” he said.
The balcony passed its most recent inspection, conducted as part of a routine fire check, Maloney said. It was not immediately clear when that had occurred.
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