Three Still in Hospital After Deck Collapse at Marshall University

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP) - Three people are still in the hospital Saturday after a second-story deck collapsed at an off-campus house at Marshall University Friday night.

Seventeen people were injured, none seriously. As many as 15 people celebrating the end of the school year were standing on the 10-by-15-foot deck that fell to the ground at 10:15 p.m. Friday, said Amanda Baisden, who lived at the brick home.

"I was in the parking lot talking to a friend and I heard a big crack. I looked up and saw my best friend's arm flailing, and everything fell," Baisden said. She ran into a bar next door "and was yelling to call 911," Baisden said.

"I came outside and I thought there would be people dead, but luckily everyone was all right."

Seven people were taken to St. Mary's Hospital in Huntington and six others were taken to Cabell-Huntington Hospital, nursing supervisors said. One person was admitted to St. Mary's and two others remained at Cabell-Huntington Hospital. All three are expected to be released within a few days. None of the injuries appeared to be serious, they said. In addition, four other people were treated at the scene, WSAZ-TV of Huntington reported. As many as six emergency squads responded to the accident. Friday was the final day of classes at Marshall.

"We were all just hanging out," Baisden said. "There had been more people on the deck before."

Student Justin Flesher was on the left end of the deck - the last part to fall.

"Some people bounced off the bricks and then fell," he told The Herald-Dispatch of Huntington. "I fell onto a pile of bodies, which is why I think I wasn't as seriously hurt." Flesher suffered injuries to his foot and leg.

Huntington attorney Mike Woelfel was leaving the bar at the time of the collapse and was among the first to assist the students.

"It was like a pinball machine. People were bouncing against the wall and then off of the deck," he said.

Those inside the building felt the deck disconnect.