21 injured in elevated walkway collapse at Beach Park in Texas

In Surfside Beach, Texas, an elevated walkway collapse occurred on Thursday afternoon, resulting in several injuries. At least five individuals were flown by helicopters to hospitals for medical treatment, and the total number of injured was estimated to be around 10. The condition of the injured individuals and their ages were not immediately known, although they appeared to be teenagers.
Fortunately, none of the teenagers sustained life-threatening injuries, according to city officials. The teenagers, aged 14 to 18, were visiting from Cypress, Tomball, and Spring Branch, which are located outside Houston and San Antonio. They were participating in a summer camp organized by the Bayou City Fellowship, as reported by the New York Times. The incident took place at Stahlman Park, a recreational area near the beach that offers views of the Gulf of Mexico. The collapse happened around 1 pm local time. Further details about the cause of the collapse or the specific circumstances leading up to it were not mentioned in the provided information.
The Surfside Beach Volunteer Fire Department’s Assistant Chief, Justin Mills, provided the initial information regarding the incident. However, the extent of the injuries and the current condition of the victims were not disclosed.
This unfortunate event highlights the importance of ensuring the safety and regular maintenance of structures to prevent accidents and injuries. Authorities will likely conduct investigations to determine the cause of the collapse and take appropriate measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
“The cause of the incident is still under investigation,” city officials said in a statement, New York Times reported.
Five teenagers were airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, the city said. Six of the teenagers were taken to local hospitals by ambulance, and about 10 others were taken by private vehicle. The department was tasked with setting up landing zone for hospital helicopters. Aerial video from TV station KTRK showed the walkway appears to be made from wood and leads to a building.