Injured people 'in pretty good shape'
<p>A portion of the deck at 4 Lakeside Ave. collapsed on Tuesday night, resulting in injuries to more than a dozen people. The incident prompted a massive response from first responders around the Flathead Valley. On Wednesday morning, the deck can clearly be seen where it collapsed while the railing remained intact. (Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake)</p>
People who were hurt when a deck collapsed Tuesday night in Lakeside were described in “pretty good shape” Wednesday by a family member.
Ambulances and emergency personnel from around the Flathead Valley rushed to a Lakeside Avenue house just before 9 p.m. Tuesday when part of the flooring of a second-story deck fell in one piece about 10 feet onto a patio while the railing of the deck remained intact. It is believed that the deck collapsed under the weight of roughly 40 people.
Fourteen people ranging in age from 3 months through the mid-80s sought medical attention at Kalispell Regional Medical Center.
Of those 14 people, 11 were treated for minor injuries and released while three were admitted to the hospital overnight, according to spokesman Jim Oliverson. Oliverson said the three people who were hospitalized were in good condition and no surgeries were necessary.
Other people injured in the deck collapse went to North Valley Hospital. Hospital spokeswoman Catherine Todd did not know the number of people who received medical treatment at the Whitefish hospital, but to her understanding the patients involved in the deck collapse were treated and released.
Somers-Lakeside Volunteer Fire Department Chief Tom Havens said at least 12 of the people injured were transported by ambulance to the hospital. A total of 10 ambulances responded to the Lakeside incident.
Havens said Wednesday the incident has been on his mind all day.
“I’m glad on my end we didn’t have a fatality,” Havens said.
While driving to the scene Tuesday night, Havens prepared himself for the worst-case scenario — what he would do when he arrived and what tools he might need if someone was pinned underneath. Once he arrived, Havens headed straight for the deck and found to his relief that no one was trapped underneath it.
Havens said he heard that it was a family reunion that was going on when the collapse happened.
“It’s a sad thing to hear,” Havens said.
Emergency personnel responded from Somers, Lakeside, Bigfork, West Valley, Smith Valley, South Kalispell, Kalispell and Evergreen fire departments, along with the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.
Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.