A New Year’s Eve balloon drop turned into a nightmare for attendees at In the Game arcade in Peabody, Massachusetts, when a large Lego display fell on the crowd. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon during a “Noon Year’s Eve” party, injuring 10 people, including five children.
Shocking video footage obtained by NBC Boston shows the unsuspecting crowd cheering as the balloon drop began. However, the event took a dramatic turn when the 12-foot-tall Lego display, which had been hanging above, crashed down on the revellers.
Emergency Response and Injuries
The Peabody Fire Department responded promptly, confirming that eight of the injured, including five children, were transported to a local medical facility for treatment. Two others refused medical help. Some of the injured sustained bruises, while one person was placed in a cervical collar for neck support.
🚨🇺🇸#BREAKING | NEWS ⚠️
Six adults and four children were injured as a massive Lego display collapses on families at a arcade in Massachusetts. Here is video and in slow motion. pic.twitter.com/Hhf4cUrt1d— Todd Paron🇺🇸🇬🇷🎧👽 (@tparon) December 31, 2024
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic. Lawren Turco, who attended the event with her family, told WBZ-TV:
“Large LEGO pieces were everywhere, kids were crying, there were tons of people all in the office, some with ice packs over their heads.”
Witness Reactions
Turco, who had no idea of the severity of the incident until later, recalled the confusion and panic:
“People allowing their children to steal the Lego pieces like souvenirs. It was pure chaos.”
13-year-old attendee Keegan Oblenes also shared his shock:
“I didn’t know anybody was hurt until after.”
Peabody Police Statement
The Peabody Police Department confirmed the incident on Facebook, stating:
“A display was pulled down by balloons attached to it, causing it to fall. Ten individuals sustained minor injuries. Eight were transported to the hospital for treatment, while two refused medical transport.
