THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, June 29, 1996 TAG: 9606290231
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NAGS HEAD LENGTH: 33 lines
Eight people suffered minor injuries Friday morning when a stairwell collapsed at a beachfront motel.
Nags Head fire and rescue units, and paramedics from Dare County Emergency Medical Services, were dispatched to the Vivianna Motel on N.C. 12 at 10:38 a.m. Apparently, a group of vacationers had gathered on the stairs for a vacation photo when the incident occurred.
One 12-year-old girl from Kennesaw, Ga., was taken by ambulance to Outer Banks Medical Center, treated and released. The remaining injured people were treated at the scene for minor scratches and scrapes.
Authorities would not release the names of the injured individuals. However, Police Chief Charles Cameron said four were from Sag Harbor, N.Y., and the others were from Kennesaw, Ga.
``According to the investigating officer, the individuals were attempting to take a group photo when the stairway collapsed,'' Cameron said.
Cameron said an investigation into the cause of the collapse is continuing. Nags Head Chief Building Inspector John Brabrand was not available for comment Friday.
``We were very fortunate that the people involved were not hurt more seriously,'' Cameron said.
The combined weight of the vacationers and other factors may have played a role in the collapse.
``This was a classic case of age and the elements taking their toll on a structure,'' said fire Capt. Richard Lane.
The motel's owner, Vivian Midgett, declined comment. by CNB