Ohio winery terrace collapses, killing one, injuring dozens

The terrace collapsed into the basement

July 2, 2000
Web posted at: 12:54 a.m. EDT (0454 GMT)

In this story: Concrete floor gave way Injuries caused by falls RELATED STORIES, SITES

MIDDLE BASS, Ohio (CNN) -- A terrace loaded with tourists collapsed at an island winery in Lake Erie on Saturday, killing one person and injuring dozens more.

A spokesman for the Ottawa County Emergency Management Agency told CNN one person was confirmed dead in the 4:50 p.m. collapse at the popular Lonz Winery on Lake Erie.

AUDIO An eyewitness describes the terrace collapse at the winery in Middle Bass, Ohio 761K/35 sec. AIFF or WAV sound     MESSAGE BOARD Structural disasters

"There are 30 others who are critically injured, and about 30 to 50 'walking wounded,'" said Patrick McCloskey.

"Due to the Fourth of July weekend, it's not surprising that there could have been more than 100 people in that courtyard area of the winery," McCloskey said.

The concrete floor suddenly gave way under the tourists, who were there to buy and taste wine at the historic site, which dates back to the Civil War. They fell about 15-20 feet into a cellar underneath, officials said.

"They're digging them out and rescuing them," said Put-In-Bay Mayor John Blatt. His city's police and fire squads were the first on the scene.

He said at least 30 people had already been sent from the scene in ambulances and eight helicopters.

A victim arrives by helicopter at a Cleveland hospital

At least nine of the more seriously injured victims were flown to Cleveland's Metro Health Medical Center. A nursing supervisor said all were in collapse stable condition.

Four victims were taken to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo.

"We have three females and one male," said spokeswoman Catherine Harned, who did not have information on their conditions or injuries.

Four others were treated and released from the Firelands Community Hospital in Sandusky.

A spokeswoman for Magruder Hospital in Port Clinton said victims arrived there by boat.

"Some were 'walking wounded,' others came in on backboards," said Pat Peters. "Most of their injuries were due to falls."

Peters said the hospital was expecting as many as 50 victims altogether.

Ottawa County commissioners and other local officials are investigating the accident.

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Lonz Winery
Firelands Community Hospital
St. Vincent in Toledo
Put-in-Bay

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