Monday, November 18, 2024 at 10:19 PM
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Investigation continues into bleacher collapse at county fair

All but one of the 12 injured have been treated and cleared
Investigation continues into bleacher collapse at county fair

One person injured Saturday in the partial collapse of a section of seating at the Kendall County Fairground rodeo arena remains hospitalized, according to city officials. 

Chris Shadrock, Boerne communications director, Tuesday said one of the two people who spent the weekend in hospitals was released, leaving a lone injured party still hospitalized. 

Walter Ball, assistant fire chief for the Boerne Fire Department, Tuesday said the investigation continues into the collapse of the steel support beams that sent patrons, tables and chairs tumbling down into and under the bleachers.  

Ball Sunday said a call was received about 9:15 p.m. Saturday of the incident, which resulted in injuries to 12 patrons attending the evening pro rodeo. 

A view of the area Sunday morning showed an apparent separation of support beams holding up the top half of the bleacher. Several stools could be seen scattered on the ground below. The flat-surface area atop the bleachers was where Kendall County Fair Association VIP members were seated. 

Ball said emergency responders have been meeting with Kendall County Fair Association directors to keep them abreast of developments on the investigation. 

Focus of the investigation will center on liability for the structural failure, as the bleachers were completed in the days leading up to the fair’s Aug. 29 opening. 

Reports circulating on social media claim the Kendall County Fair Association did not hire a welding firm but performed the work themselves. 

Attempts to reach KCFA officials for comment have been unsuccessful. 

Kendall County Fire Marshal Brady Constantine was on the fairgrounds Saturday when the collapse occurred. 

A licensed paramedic, Constantine said he immediately joined the rescue and relief effort. 

“I ran to render aid and establish command at that point,” Constantine said. Command was handed to a Boerne Fire Department shift commander as calls for aid went out and emergency vehicles began responding. 

Initial emergency response came from the Boerne Fire Department, Bergheim Fire Department and the Kendall County EMS. A call to the South Texas Regional Advisory Council brought two ambulance strike teams of 10 total ambulances and an ambus from the San Antonio Fire Department, to transport the injured. 

“We're working with the association, we're working with our partners to investigate and ensure the continued safety here on the grounds for rodeo vendors and observers,” Ball said on Sunday. 

Constantine said the decision Saturday night to cancel the rodeo “came early on, so emergency services could get in and effectively operate.” The decision came later to clear the fairgrounds of patrons and fairgoers, once it became clear the number of resources that would be responding. 

The fairgrounds reopened about noon Sunday for fair entertainment, the carnival, and for food, drink and crafts vendors. 

The rodeo arena was yellow-taped and blocked from attendees, as law enforcement and fair association officials could be seen inspecting the damage.

 


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