Investigators probe floor collapse at party near Clemson University; 30 injured

By Ny Magee

·October 21, 2018

Dozens were hurt and around 30 people were sent to the hospital after the floor of a condominium clubhouse collapsed during a large private party early Sunday near Clemson University in South Carolina, according to The Associated Press.

The clubhouse at The Woodlands is located near the Clemson, S.C., university, and video shows people dancing and jumping at the party when all of a sudden the center of the floor drops from underneath them, sending screaming partygoers into the basement, authorities said. Those who didn’t fall reportedly stood around the remaining edges of the floor and stared in shock at the horrific scene below.

#BREAKING: Video after the #Clemson apartment clubhouse #collapse.
This was sent to us by Jay Chavis.
Dozens have been injured and taken to the hospital. pic.twitter.com/OIEYxRoXIf

— Dana Griffin (@DanaGriffinNBC) October 21, 2018

Clemson City Police said nobody was trapped and none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening. Clemson sophomore Larissa Stone told the Independent Mail of Anderson that the room was “packed” and people started jumping as a popular song was playing.

“So everyone was jumping. The beat was about to drop and literally the whole floor collapsed,” Stone told The AP. “It happened so quickly. I stood up, and everyone was trying to climb out. People are under other people. People are hurt. People are bleeding. I had blood on my sneakers. It was really bad.”

Another eyewitness said he heard a sudden “boom” and then “All you seen was falling, everybody’s hands up in the air,” Franzie Pendergrass told WYFF News 4.

When Leroy Pearson trend to help the injured, he saw what he thought looked like broken ankles and legs.

“It was crazy,” he told the news outlet.

Property manager Tal Slann could not comment on the clubhouse capacity limit but confirmed to The Associated Press that “there was a party” and “there was a floor collapse.” Adding, “There were injuries,” but noted that “they were not life-threatening. Nobody was trapped” he said.

Slann sent residents of The Woodlands an email notifying them that the floor in front of the clubhouse fireplace had collapsed during a party.

“The Clubhouse and pool area is OFF LIMITS to all,” according to the email obtained by The AP. “The clubhouse will be inspected by structural engineers as soon as possible. From there, the homeowner’s association will determine how to rebuild the clubhouse to make it safe for all residents. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who were injured and we apologize for any inconvenience.”