London’s West End was brought to a terrifying standstill last night when the ceiling of the famous Grade II listed Apollo Theatre in Westminster collapsed, injuring 76 people, according to sources from the BBC.
The incident happened at around 20:15 last night during a performance of The Curious Incident Of The Dog in the Night-Time with an audience count of more than 700 people. Thankfully it appears no one was killed, but of the 76 injured, 7 are said to have been seriously injured with injuries ranging from minor cuts and grazes to broken bones, head, and neck injuries.
Emergency services have been praised for what’s being called a rapid response in rescuing theatre-goers trapped inside, and swiftly providing emergency medical treatment at another nearby theatre as well as at the local A&E’s at St Thomas’s Hospital and Guy’s Hospital.
25 ambulance crews and an emergency helicopter, as well as 8 fire engines and more than 50 fire fighters, were said to be in attendance. Three London buses were used to transport the wounded as well.
“People Started Screaming. It Went Dark”
Witnesses’ report that terror broke out partway through the performance when plasterwork from the roof fell down leaving no one time to escape before dust and concrete crashed down in to the audience. People were covered in dust as they emerged from the rubble inside the theatre with many visibly injured and distressed.
As an established law firm with thousands of clients across the UK, we have represented victims for personal injury compensation claims caused by all manner of incidents, including scenarios like this. It’s always upsetting to hear when people are injured in such terrifying circumstances, but thankfully the reports indicate so far that no one has been fatally injured.
Investigations will now commence to find out exactly how this has happened. It’s just not something that people expect – a phrase common amongst our clients who we are currently pursuing claims for similar incidents where ceilings and roofs have come down in workplaces, homes and public places.
I first heard the story last night on the radio and was shocked to hear how such a thing can happen here in the UK where health and safety standards are said to be amongst the best in the world. It’s amazing, and perhaps somewhat of a miracle, that no one has been fatally injured.
We hope those injured have a speedy recovery – we know all too well the devastating injuries, both physically and emotionally, that can be caused when a roof has collapsed and injured you.
Further Reading
