Northern California Deck Collapse Injures 9

September 16, 2014

Nine people were hurt during a Northern California family gathering when a deck collapsed, authorities said Sunday.

According to the Oakland Fire Department, an elevated deck in an Oakland backyard collapsed at about 8 p.m. on Saturday. About a dozen people were on the deck at the time for a family gathering, Battalion Chief Darin White said.

White said seven people were transported to hospitals and two victims had injuries considered “critical.” White said none of the injuries appear to be life threatening. One of the victim’s appears have a broken leg, White said. Two of the injured declined medical treatment at the scene, he added.

White said two of the victims were briefly trapped under the wreckage. They were freed after firefighters removed debris.

Oakland building inspectors have been called to the scene.

“This appears to be an unfortunate accident,” White said.