Halloween Party Horror as Deck Collapses in Perth, Australia

Halloween party horror erupted near Perth, Australia at 8.30 pm on 31 October 2009 when a first story deck collapsed and came crashing down at a Ballajura home. Amazingly, nobody died in the incident, but thirty people were injured. It is reported 19 were carried out on stretchers and taken by 13 ambulances to Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Royal Perth Hospital and Joondalup Health Campus. Early indications were that the injured had spinal injuries, broken legs, ankles, a possible dislocated shoulder, trauma and cuts.
Many of the victims were in Halloween fancy dress and were middle-aged to elderly. A witness said it appeared the middle part of the balcony had given way and more than a dozen people had been trapped underneath the balcony. Some of those involved were able to walk away from the deck collapse dazed and shocked and were checked for spinal injuries.

Various reports from neighbors described the noise of the collapse as "indescribable" and "like an earthquake". One neighbor felt the vibrations through the floor of his home.

As well as the 13 ambulances, three fire-trucks attended the scene, supported by State Emergency Service volunteers.

The owners of the property are reported to have said "They had a party not that long ago with just as many people, so it was a bit of a surprise.'' Last night they were too upset to talk

Recent Brisbane deck collapses - 1 dead
Another deck collapse happened today (28 October 2009) not far from where I live at Morayfield, north of Brisbane. This time nobody died or was seriously injured, but how long will it be until there is another tragedy like the one that happened in Brisbane last year?

In November 2008, in the posh Brisbane suburb of Ascot where there are a lot of old, renovated homes, Annette Lee Stanley lost her life when the deck of a newly renovated Queenslander-style home holding about 30 women gave way. The group were celebrating the end of Year 12 for their sons - all students at the Brisbane Anglican Church Grammar School.

Previous Perth deck and balcony collapses
In 1996, 35 revelers were taken to hospital after an apartment balcony plunged 5m to the ground in North Fremantle on New Year's Eve.

In June 2000, eight teenagers celebrating a friend's 17th birthday were hospitalized when a timber deck holding 40 party-goers gave way at a Claremont home.

How many deck collapses occur around the world?

It is anyone's guess how many deck collapses, serious or otherwise, occur each year around the world. If Australia has had two deck collapses within 4 days, so the mind boggles at how many other deck disasters occur in other countries, reported or otherwise.

Check your deck
Building experts warn it is vital to avoid overloading balconies and decks. It is recommended that home owners inspect support beams and posts for dangerously soft, spongy sections of compressed timber. If doubts arise, a professional inspection should be arranged. Exterior timbers are susceptible to insect attack and decay, with the exception of pressure-treated pine.

Sources:
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,26289146-948,00.html
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,26271971-952,00.html