Video shows moments of joy before scaffolding structure collapse at Campbelltown school

A new video has shown the final moments before a scaffolding structure, holding up to 125 teenagers, collapsed dramatically during a Year 12 photo shoot at Campbelltown Performing Arts High School.

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Videos have surfaced on social media of fun-loving Year 12 students enjoying their final school photo shoot before a scaffolding collapse triggered chaotic scenes at Campbelltown Performing Arts High School, with 12 teenagers rushed to hospital.

In the final moments, smiling senior students posed for Instagram by holding up peace symbols and laughing, as up to 125 students stood on the temporary structure.

The disaster, described by parents and students as “scary” and “concerning”, saw 27 students receive medical attention from paramedics at the scene, with 12 students taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A video, posted on TikTok, shows one student sucking on a green whistle following the incident.

The company staging the photo shoot, The School Photographer, has issued a statement confirming equipment being used by the company “partially failed”, with the cause under investigation.

A man, wearing a The School Photographer shirt, at the scene of the incident. Picture: Jonathan Ng

A dozen students were taken to hospital by ambulance. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“The School Photographer appreciates the support we have received from Campbelltown Performing Arts High School and are working closely with the principal and staff as well as WorkCover and the NSW Department of Education to determine the cause of the incident,” the statement said.

“The safety and welfare of the students and staff we photograph is our highest priority and our thoughts are with the students and families who have been affected.”

The collapsed scaffolding was inspected on Monday. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The School Photographer’s website says the business launched in 1986 and states “our aim is to put a smile on everybody’s face”.

Parents Tuy and Justine Uluibau picked up their son Eli early from school after he said he couldn’t concentrate.

“My son said can you come pick me up now because he’s not really focused. When we drove past when we dropped him off in the morning we saw them putting up the scaffolding,” he said.

“It’s concerning as a parent to see your child’s school on the news.”

As of 4pm Monday, all students which were taken to Campbelltown Hospital had been discharged.

The Education Department has offered counselling support to students at the school.