Miami Deck Collapse Injures 33, No Fatalities
A Miami sports bar deck had a partial collapse last night during game four of the NBA finals injuring 33 people, with two of them seriously.
"We have located and we're in the process of treating approximately 24 victims. The other individuals involved are what we call walking-wounded individuals that are stable," Lt. Eugene Germain said according to ABC News.
The deck at Shuckers Bar and Grill fell into the Biscayne Bay at around 9:45 p.m., just before half-time of the Miami Heats and San Antonio Spurs game, after filling up with 100 people, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"Fortunately only 33 people were injured, 24 of those people were transported to local hospitals and only two were in serious condition," said Miami-Dade Fire Rescue spokesman Lieutenant Arnold Piedrahita.
It was first thought one of the customers was lost in the water, and rescue divers were called in. The search was called off after not being reliable, the Tribune reports.
"We heard a crunch, crunch, crunch, and then we saw the pillars went down one by one," Anthony Herrera, a witness at the bar, told local WPLG television station.
"So we thought, naturally, it was because of the game, and we looked back ... the whole dock that was right behind us just dropped and people were in the water," Harrison Ruggiero, a patron said.
"Everything went lower and lower ... it was panic," said Cesar Cabana, who wound up in the water.
It is unknown what caused the collapse at this time, but according to the bar, the deck could hold 30 tables with five seats on each.
Jackson Memorial Hospital is servicing the wounded, but further details are unknown.
"I'd like to share our concerns as an organization and our gratitude to our fans back in Miami, but share our concerns for all that were injured tonight at Shuckers restaurant," said Dwayne Wade, star from the Heat.
