At least 21 teenagers on a church summer camp trip have been injured in a beach boardwalk collapse.
The Bayou City Fellowship group were visiting Stahlman Park in Surfside, Texas, when an elevated walkway fell around 12.30pm on Thursday, according to Surfside Beach Volunteer Fire Department Assistant Chief Justin Mills Five teens were airlifted to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, stated a Brazoria County spokesperson.
Six more were rushed on ambulances to nearby hospitals and 10 others were driven to hospitals in personal cars.
The teens who were hurt ranged in age from 14 to 18.
None of the injuries were life-threatening, according to the spokesperson.
It was not immediately known what caused the boardwalk to collapse.
The incident is under investigation.
A video from Air 11 showed the walkway was partially collapsed, with other portions still standing.
The boardwalk appeared to be constructed of wood and led to a building. Yellow caution tape was wrapped around the structure.
Seven helicopters responded and three landed at a nearby park.
Bayou City Fellowship stated that part of the deck collapsed as the students took a group picture.
‘While this is a traumatic event, we are blessed to report that none of the injuries are life-threatening,’ stated the fellowship, according to KHOU 11.
The fellowship added that the names of the teens and specifics on their injuries would not be released for privacy reasons. Some of the hospitalizations were precautionary.
A total of 78 students visited Surfside from Cypress, Spring Branch and Tomball, for the annual church camp trip.
