5 injured after deck collapses in Virginia Beach

Posted: Jul 9, 2020 / 08:05 PM MDT

Updated: Jul 11, 2020 / 04:16 AM MDT

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Five people were injured after a deck at a home in Sandbridge collapsed Thursday evening.

Photos and video from the scene, in the 3600 block of Sandfiddler Road, show a deck collapsed at a house along the beach.

The call reporting the incident came in at 6:47 p.m., dispatchers said. The lifeguard supervisor on patrol took command of the situation when they saw it, which happened as EMS was being dispatched to the scene, Bruce Nedelka, with Virginia Beach EMS, said.

First responders said none of the injuries are considered life-threatening.

Nedelka said two people sustained serious head injuries. Three others had minor injuries.

City records show the house is a rental property built in 2008.

The family staying at the house told WAVY’s Brett Hall that they are from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and were staying at the house for a week.

They said they were finishing up dinner when they heard a loud crashing sound.

UPDATE @vabeachems says a total of 5 people have non-life threatening injuries @WAVY_News pic.twitter.com/7RRL8PTcgw
— Brett Hall (@BrettHNews) July 10, 2020

Some people were trapped under fallen parts of the deck.

Those staying nearby say they are thinking twice now.

“They started to look at our deck immediately just to check it because it makes you nervous,” said Chad Houston, a visitor staying nearby.

Virginia Beach Police, Fire and EMS finishing up from a deck collapse in Sandbridge. Total of 5 patients none life threatening. First on scene was Sandbridge Lifeguard Supervisors quickly followed by Fire Department and EMS personnel.
— Virginia Beach EMS (@vabeachems) July 9, 2020

It is unclear how many people were on the deck when the collapse occurred.

The property is owned by a family in Maryland. We are working to get a hold of them and Sandbridge Realty, which manages the property.

A Virginia Beach city spokesperson says the city inspectors will be following up and looking at permits filed. The city has a program where each deck needs to be inspected before it can be used. They recommend it be re-inspected annually. 10 On Your Side is working to see if that occurred.

Stay with WAVY.com for updates.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this article and the on-air version of the story included information about the number of people staying at the rental property according to one of the individuals staying there. It has since been determined that information was not accurate. WAVY-TV apologizes for the error.