Collapse of a Balcony.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 194, 23 August 1901, Page 1

Collapse of a Balcony.

A THRILLING SCENE,

The collapse of the balcony of a hotel caused a thrilling scene at Quirindi (N.S.W.) on the Sth inst. The cablegrams stated that at least 150 persons were injured. Eighteen sustained broken limbs, forty-nine were seriously injured in other ways, and a large number suffered minor injuries through the accident. No deaths are yet reported. About 150 people were assembled on the balcony at the time, to witness the presentation of prizes won at the gymkhana and polo matches held that day. The company was a somewhat select one. It included about fifty visitors from Sydney, representatives of some of the most respectable families in the surrounding district, and a few men well known in amateur sporting and athletic circles. Interest in the proceedings was just reaching its culminating point. Several of the trophies had been handed over, and the time was approaching when the eup was to be awarded. Mr W. G. Dodds, of Sydney, who had been a judge during tho day, had been asked to say a few words in connection with the giving of the prize for the best four-in-hand turnout. He advanced through tho throng to the tabic, noticing as he did so that tho bulk of the people wore in the centre of | the balcony floor. Just as he posed himself to speak there was a groat crash, followed by darkness. Even the most vivid impression of the moment that can be recalled by anyone involved is of a confused character, partaking of a chaotic dreampicture in which a well-ordered and intelligent scene suddenly disintegrates before the eye, and horror supervenes on a process of ruin which is too swift to be realised and understood. For, following tho noise, there was a slipping away of indistinct surroundings, a fall accompanied by bruising contacts in sudden darkness, and then a sharp sensation of arrest at a lower level, accompanied, perhaps, by the painful breaking of a limb. The scene which presented itself was awful from every point of view. There was a struggle to get into the hotel. Many ladies, with blood-stained faces, and blinded with dust, wero moaning. Across the vestibule a young lady walked with her hair falling down her back, whilst she gasped convulsively until she staggered and fell unconscious. Mrs Swale, tho landlady, and other injured ladies, wero soon brought into the hotel. Their friends did their best for them. Against the outside wall was Mr W. Cadcll, completely dazed, Mr B. A. Allen was extricated with both legs broken, Mr Thomas

Findlay was found with a broken leg, whilst on the outskirts of the crowd was Mr George Binnie, wandering aimlessly with blood streaming from wounds in the head.

Ail the hotels in tho town were converted into hospitals. Several of the injured wore also convoyed to tho local hospital. Telegrams were sent along tho line for nurses.

Next morning a gang of workmen was put on to clear away the debris. As the work proceeded it made one marvel that the injuries were not more serious. Huge rafters on being turned over disclosed clots of blood and hair, whilst tho ground was literally covorcd with blood. It is miraculous that there was no loss of life. Portion of tho timber was saturated with kerosene, but luckily a fire did not start. Onlookers, who desired to do their best, in the confusion did not know whom to attend to first.

The sound caused by tho collapso resembled the report of a cannon. The noise of the falling roof was distinctly heard a mile distant.

No one knows definitely how the structure collapsed. The balcony was one of those very wide constructions which are frequently erected around country hotels to serve as an agreoable loungo, a pronionadc, a banqueting space, or a dancing floor, as may be desirable from time to time. Strong iron pillars on the street kerbing supported it on one side, 18ft above the ground, and it was connected with the hotel building on tho other by heavy joists or beams which were cemented into the brickwork. Everyone on the balcony seems to have shared in the disaster. The occurrence took place so precipitately that thore was no chance to make for safety. Those who were leaning against the wall fell through feet first. Others were shot up against them or on top of them, or came down in groups, falling on one another’s limbs. The trophies, the tables, and the odd chairs and lamps on the balcony came with them, striking men and women impartially in the darkness. Over all then fell the verandah rooting of corrugated iron and light woodwork. There seems to be a consensus of of opinion that amidst all the alarm and poignant suffering which ensued, even during the few painful moments directly succeeding the collapse, when heavy human bodies, timber debris, furniture and roofing were resting on people’s chests, heads, arms, legs, and feet, all behaved bravely. A few scared screams were heard as the balcony gave way, and an occasional groan in the blackness following, but there were no panic cries nor demonstrations afterwards. The ladies exhibited remarkable courage in most distressing circumstances, for they shared to the full the torture of the situation, and scarcely murmured. The prevalence of sprained and broken ankles in the list of injuries is due to the large proportion of people who fell more or less on their feet. Cut heads, broken arms and legs, apd internal injuries suggest alighting under other more or less complex conditions. Mr Suckling, an old gentleman, who is a squatter in the neighborhood, stout and below the middle-height, exhibited, some of the Sydney visitors say, the qualities of a hero. With both legs broken above the ankles, he got upon his knees and used his arms to hold up a great section of the roofing so as to prevent it falling on some helpless ladies and gentlemen who were round about him. Mr Dodds says Mr Suckling actully cracked jokes to keep up the spirits of the unfortunate company whilst engaged in this occupation, until he was relieved by men who hastened to his assistance. Mrs Suckling, who had sustained a broken ankle, sat near him all the while, and made no complaint. She seemed more I anxious about others than her self.