MAY 18, 2015
LITHONIA, GA (CBS46)
Police say nine people were injured and seven were taken to
the hospital after a deck collapse in DeKalb County Saturday evening.
The incident happened around 11 p.m. at a home on the 1700
block of Hilton Ridge Road in Lithonia.
The deck collapsed during a party in the rear area of the
home.
DeKalb County Fire Captain Eric Jackson said seven people
were taken to the hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
“Boom, it just fell. Out of nowhere it just fell,” said
Antonio Brown.
He was one of the people on the deck when it crashed and so
was Helen Brown.
“My heart dropped,” Helen Brown said.
The family said they've only lived there a month and were
gathering friends and other family members at their home after a wedding.
Antonio Brown said there were nine people on the deck for 30 minutes when it
collapsed. The other two told CBS46's Dontaye Carter they didn't need to see a
doctor.
“It just collapsed. Boom! It fell. People went to rolling,
crawling and two, three people fell completely off the deck,” Antonio Brown
said.
CBS46 reached out to deck experts who said there likely
hasn't been any work done on the deck in some time.
The experts suggest having
someone who specializes in deck maintenance and repairs to check it before any
big gatherings, especially for older decks.
Homeowners are encouraged to check
the metal columns holding up the deck for rust and check the sturdiness of the
rails - a lesson the Brown family is now learning.
“To double check everything before you move in,” said Helen
Brown. “I'm just thankful I made it out alive and everybody's alright.”
Seven of the nine went to the hospital Saturday night for
minor and moderate injuries. The person who manages the property for the owner,
did not want give CBS46 his name, but said his crews will be there Monday to
examine the deck to prepare to get it fixed.