Global Courant
A deck collapsed at a country club in Montana, injuring more than 30
BILLINGS, Mont. — More than 30 people were injured when a deck collapsed at a country club overlooking Montana’s largest city, police said Sunday.
The deck on the second floor of Billings’ Briarwood Country Club broke and gave way Saturday night. The collapse caused head wounds, broken ribs and other injuries as people landed on top of each other and debris and food scraps scattered on the grass next to the club’s golf course.
Police said there were no fatalities, although “several people” were injured. The cause of the collapse has yet to be determined.
At least 25 people were taken to local hospitals, eight were treated at the scene and more guests may have been injured, Billings Police Lieutenant Matt Lennick said in the statement.
The Billings Gazette reported that a guest with bruised ribs who landed on a woman estimated that there were at least 40 people on the deck at the time it succumbed.
Dr. Billings Clinic CEO Clint Seger said in a statement that the hospital was initially receiving six patients while more were expected. Another Billings Clinic official said separately that 11 victims had been admitted, the Gazette added.
“We have multiple trauma surgeons, ER physicians and the ER team along with critical care personnel on site to receive patients,” Seger said.
The Briarwood website says the club opened in 1984 and offers golf, dining and swimming.