Balconies Collapse, Injuring Students

A third-floor balcony crowded with college students collapsed onto the one below it during a party Saturday, injuring 16 people. Some partygoers fell 25 feet onto a concrete patio.

The wooden balcony gave way under the weight of 15 to 20 people at the Terrace View Apartments just after midnight, police said.

The front of the balcony broke off and crashed into a second-floor balcony, which was occupied by 20 to 25 people, police said. The second balcony also collapsed.

“They all just fell in a tangled heap of bodies, wood, alcohol containers and everything else,” Lt. Bruce Bradbery said.

Thirteen people were treated at hospitals for injuries ranging from broken bones to cuts and bruises, then released, Bradbery said. Three people remained hospitalized with more serious injuries, including a spinal fracture.