Two dead, 17 injured in Doncaster East balcony collapse
A CROYDON mother killed in a freak balcony collapse while attending a Tupperware Christmas party in Doncaster East on Saturday night has been remembered as a “lovely lady with a heart of gold”, as a survivor reveals the extent of her injuries.
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AN ADORED mum has been named as one of two women tragically killed when a balcony collapsed as party guests posed for a group photo at a Tupperware Christmas party in Doncaster East on the weekend.
Croydon woman Cheryl Taylor, 59, is being remembered as a “lovely lady with a heart of gold” by family and friends who say they are still coming to terms with the sudden loss.
She was one of two people killed — and 17 hurt — when the balcony deck collapsed on Saturday night.
Overloaded wooden floorboards collapsed under the stress of 30 staff members at the two-storey house in Balinga Court at 10.30pm.
Ms Taylor’s daughter, Melissa, shared a photo of her mother on Facebook, saying: “There is a light and it never goes out.”
A friend and fellow Tupperware employee told the Herald Sun the world had lost a wonderful soul.
“To lose a loved is one of the hardest things in life but at this time of year is something you just can’t fathom,” the friend, who did not want to be named, said.
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Ms Taylor, who died at the scene of the horror collapse in Balinga Court, has been remembered as a much-loved member of the Tupperware family.
She had an “outrageous sense of humour” and would “do anything for anyone”.
“She had a natural talent for speaking in front of crowds and she had a wealth of Tupperware knowledge,” the friend said, adding that she had learned so much from Ms Taylor.
Gemma Kalmar, who worked with Ms Taylor as a manager at Tupperware, also paid tribute to her friend on Facebook.
“I go to bed with a heavy heart,” Ms Kalmar wrote.
“You will be missed Cheryl, you will always be a part of my Tupperware family.”
Another friend wrote: “I’ll miss the fun and laughter that you brought into my life. My heart is hurting.”
COUNCIL TO PROBE BUILDING PERMIT
Manningham Council will be called upon to investigate if the balcony that collapsed was constructed with a building permit.
One of those injured in the tragedy, Casey Leerentveld, today posted to social media from the Austin hospital.
“Can’t sleep. Every time I shut my eyes just comes flooding back. Haven’t slept,” she posted.
“Dislocated knee, fractured heel and lots of glass in my legs to be removed.
“Still in shock and absolutely devastated at loosing (sic) 2 wonderful friends and colleagues in this tragedy.”
Ms Leerentveld told the Herald Sun how she feared for her life when the balcony collapsed and bodies went tumbling down.
“It all just happened so quick,” she said.
“Before I knew what was happening I was crushed and trapped.”
Ms Leerentveld said she managed to “wiggle” her way out.
“I was lucky. There were some heroes there,” she said.
“Someone saved lives holding up a fridge stopping it from crushing others. He’s a hero.”
Ms Leerentveld confirmed to the Herald Sun that a final, end-of-year Christmas photo was never taken.
“The photo never got taken. We hadn’t even gotten that far and into position,” she said.
“Most people weren’t even on that side of the deck yet.”
Ms Leerentveld sustained severe injuries to her body, including a broken knee and deep wounds from broken glass bottles.
“I’ve had a lot of glass removed from my legs,” she said.
Councillor Dot Haynes said she felt awful for the victims of the incident, and would ask Mayor Andrew Conlon to look into whether there was a permit.
“You’re never certain if it had a permit or not — I would definitely hope so, but I don’t know whether that is the case or not.
“It’s usually the older places (that have non-compliant renovations).’’
Devastated colleagues are mourning the deaths of Ms Taylor, and a woman, 37, from Reservoir, who died in hospital.
Tupperware and Nutrimetics Australia and New Zealand president Daisy Chin-Lor expressed the company’s “deepest” condolences to families.
“We have learned of the tragic accident involving valued members of our independent sales force,” she said.
“We want to express our deepest condolences to the families who have lost loved ones.”
Ms Chin-Lor said her thoughts and prayers were with everyone affected.
“We will continue to offer our support and comfort as we learn more details of the accident,” she said.
Detectives returned to the home today, refusing to comment as they made their way inside.
Moments before police arrived, a woman who attended the Christmas party picked up her Tupperware-branded car.
She also declined to comment.
Slater and Gordon state civil practice group leader Nunzio Tartaglia said balcony collapses were more common than people thought.
“I’ve seen at least half a dozen in the last three years,” he said.
“The most recent one was just 12 months ago. No one was killed but serious injuries were involved.”
Mr Tartaglia said it was too hard to say who was at fault so early on the investigation.
“The involvement of a landlord, to those renting the property and those who built the balcony will have to be closely looked at,” he said.
Victim Casey, of the Doncaster East balcony collapse: "Can’t sleep. Every time I shut my eyes just comes flooding back. Haven’t slept. Still in shock. Dislocated knee, fractured heel and lots of glass in my legs to be removed."
— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) December 18, 2017
Awful. @theheraldsun
It is believed the group were preparing to pose for a photo near a fridge and barbecue when the deck collapsed, sending partygoers crashing to the ground.
A further 10 women and seven men, ranging in age from 20 to 69, sustained soft tissue injuries, fractures and lacerations, and were taken to Box Hill, Austin and Maroondah hospitals.
Paramedics were on the scene for hours treating dozens of other partygoers.
Yvonne Nunn and her husband, Chris, who run The Ovation Sales Tupperware company, hosted the party at their rental home.
Mrs Nunn was among the injured and was released from hospital yesterday morning.
Mr Nunn returned to the scene about 3.30pm yesterday and spent half an hour speaking to police, but declined to comment to the Herald Sun.
“We’ve got nothing to talk about,” he said.
The property owner, who identified himself only as Mr Lew, said: “I got up this morning and watched the news, as I always do, and my wife was called by the (real estate) agent.
“Those living in the property were good people, we never had any issues with them.
“This property means a lot to us and we’re just so sorry this has happened, especially this close to Christmas.”
Mr Lew said the sheer weight of numbers might have caused the incident.
“It looks like about 30 people were on the balcony, and if the average weight is 70kg, that’s 2.1 tonnes,” Mr Lew said.
“If they were all leaning or standing on one side for a photo, I mean, you do the maths — that isn’t good.”
Police bringing in metal gates to the home where a balcony collapsed last night in Doncaster East. @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/lLOPtVP38X
— Brianna Travers (@briannatravers) December 17, 2017
Mr Lew said he and his wife would talk to their agent today.
“Just want to let family and friends know Jason and I are OK,” a party guest, Dannii Rossit, wrote on Facebook.
“Thanks to everyone who has sent us messages. Physically we are fine, but in shock and absolutely devastated at losing two wonderful friends and colleagues in this tragedy.”
A guest at the party, Jade Moana posted to Facebook: “We are tired, sore and shaken. I am waiting on a decision regarding my leg. We are both grateful to be here.”
PANICKED SCREAMING
Neighbours heard “frantic” and “panicked screaming” before running in to find people trapped under rubble.
One neighbour said bloodied victims banged on his door, screaming for help.
“It brought our party to an abrupt end last night,” the off-duty police officer said.
“I heard screams saying ... ‘a fridge has fallen ... a fridge has fallen, we need help.’
“You don’t see this every day, it was pretty distressing.”
Neighbours have laid flowers outside of the Doncaster East property that saw two people die when a balcony collapsed. More: @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/AELtddT2Zd
— Ryan Tennison (@ryan_tennison) December 17, 2017
Neighbour Andrew Stone said the scene was “biblical”.
“The group got up on to the balcony to take a group photo, which is when it fell down,” he said.
“People were screaming, I heard crashing. I thought it was a brawl but it kept going.
“People were walking around with blood on them ... crying ... it was devastating really.”
Neighbour Judy said she was asleep when she heard noise in the street.
“There were a lot of cars, a lot of noise,” she said.
“A lot of people were running around the street carrying pillows, I didn’t know what was going on.”
“I couldn’t sleep, it was very loud.
“There was lots of sirens wailing and lights flashing.”
One man, who asked not to be named, said he was stunned by the tragedy.
“This is just a typical quiet eastern suburbs neighbourhood,” he said.
Neighbour Dennis said he returned home from a night out in the city to find his street completely blocked off.
“I live opposite the house (where the collapse occurred), the police said I can’t go back inside yet,” he said.
Shivering against the cold, Dennis said he had “never seen anything like this”.
Ambulance Victoria State Health Commander Paul Holman said it was a chaotic scene that required a major emergency management response.
“This is a very tragic incident for those involved and our thoughts are with them and their loved ones at this time,” Mr Holman said.
More than a dozen emergency and non-emergency ambulances were called.
Evidence of the tragedy, including pillows, towels and blankets, remained on neighbouring lawns yesterday while the scene was still cordoned off as police and the State Coroner inspected.
Leading Senior Constable Melissa Seach said in a statement that emergency services were called to a house on Balinga Court about 10.30pm.
“It is believed more than 30 people were standing on the balcony when it collapsed,” she added.
PREMIER JOINS THE TRIBUTES
Premier Daniel Andrews yesterday said his thoughts were with the families of those who were tragically killed at Christmas party last night.
“Our hearts go out to the families of those two people who lost their lives.”
“I know there are others who are receiving the very best care at this time,
This is a terrible incident so close to Christmas. You can’t help but be deeply saddened by this terrible incident.”
Mr Andrews thanked all emergency services who attended the tragic incident.
“I want to thank Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and all the emergency services who were on scene in good time and who did their very best to provide the best care possible.”
Mr Andrews said there will be a “proper” investigation into the collapsed balcony.
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“If there’s anything we can learn from this terrible incident we stand ready to do that.”
Health Minister Jill Hennessy said the accident was “horrible” to happen so close to Christmas.
“Everyone in our health system and our emergency services are doing everything they can to support those patients and their families,” she said.
Acting Superintendent Kerin Moloney said the tragedy was “magnified by the fact that we’re only a week away from Christmas”.
Supt Moloney said counselling had been offered to all personnel who attended the horrific scene.
“It was a really tragic incident for all emergency services who have attended and also those who were present at the party,” he said.
“All the police that have attended have been offered peer support and also the SES and ambulance officers.”
Mr Stone commended emergency services on their quick response time.
“The response time was incredible, two minutes tops ... it was fast,” he said.
“It’s a real shame so close to Christmas, devastating really ... it’s surreal.”
Reporting: Brianna Travers, Anthony Dowsley, Ed Gardiner, Cassie Zervos and Michelle Ainsworth
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