By Hannah Hammoud and Angus Delaney
Eight people have been hospitalised after falling 2.5 metres when a balcony collapsed at a home in a popular coastal holiday town south-west of Melbourne.
The group was eating lunch on the balcony of a house near Point Roadknight beach in Anglesea when it collapsed, injuring them all, along with a dog.
Eight people were injured when a balcony collapsed at the house in Odonohue Road, Angelsea.Credit: Penny Stephens
A Victoria Police spokesperson said: “Eight people and a dog have been injured following a balcony collapse in Anglesea.
“It’s believed the group were lunching on the balcony when it collapsed, causing all eight people to fall about 2.5 metres.
“Three men, three women and two teenage girls were taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.”
In the immediate aftermath of the collapse, it’s believed three people were temporarily trapped beneath timber from the balcony, and the brick foundations were unstable.
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson said: “Eight people are being transported by road ambulance to Geelong University Hospital.
“All were in a stable condition with minor injuries.”
Barwon Health said eight patients were brought in for care, all currently in stable conditions.
Surf Coast Shire general manager of community life Damian Waight said a council building inspector would investigate the cause of the collapse to ensure the home was safe.
The balcony that collapsed in Anglesea on Saturday, in a photo taken before the incident. Credit: RealEstate.com.au
“Our thoughts are with those impacted, and our emergency management team is assisting to offer support to those affected as required,” said Waight.
The CFA said paramedics had initially treated the injured group at the scene.
“A call came in just before 2pm this afternoon for a structural collapse on Odonohue Road in Anglesea. Crews from CFA, FRV and SES responded,” a CFA spokesperson said.
“On arrival, they located a second-storey balcony had collapsed where a number of persons were having lunch.”
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