From Channel 12 News:
One Dead in Balcony Collapse
by Chris Durden
One person has died after a balcony collapse in Elk County Saturday afternoon. A couple from Wichita was hosting a house-warming party when the deck gave way.
Officials tell us about 30 people were hurt, as many of six of them suffered critical injuries. Some of the hurt were airlifted to Wichita hospitals for treatment.
The owner of the house was among those hurt. Witnesses think there were about 100 people at the party.
The identity of the man killed has not been released, though police tell us he's from Andale and he was 46 years old.
Could this have been somewhere around the Flint Oak area?
Yes, this was at the Flint Oak Resort. According to the video on Channel 12 news, it was an outside balcony that fell.
Channel 10 had it on the news last night, but I couldn't find any content on their web pages.
I thought they said it was just west of Flint Oak - that it was a housewarming party for a newly built house.
I also couldn't find anything on the Wichita Eagle pages. :(
There will probably be a BUNCH OF LAWSUITS over that.
This property was not on Flint Oak property. It was on Road 25 south of Quail and then on the west side of the road.
It was my understanding that the directions were west of Flint Oak Ranch on Quail to Road 25, then south over a mile to the red gate. Turn in the drive. Looking at a 2004 map, the land used to be Clyde Burch's or Sheila Shea's. Who knows? What I do know is that it was not on Flint Oak property.
I have heard the name Shrek or Shreck mentioned as owners. Also heard that one of Liz Hedrick's girls received a broken leg and that Liz, herself, was checked out ok but had to wear a c-collar as a precaution. What a terrible accident, but Lois, you're right---there will probably be a number of lawsuits.
Sorry about the wrong information but that is what two television stations in Wichita was reporting Saturday night, but here is what is on the Wichita Eagle/Beacon web site today.
Deck collapse kills 1 at house party
BY RON SYLVESTER
The Wichita Eagle
A housewarming party turned into a deadly disaster when a balcony deck collapsed Saturday night in Elk County.
One man died and numerous others were injured when the deck at the newly constructed house of Brian and Donna Schreck collapsed, falling on the guests below and killing an Andale man, the Elk County Sheriff's Department said. The Schrecks are from Wichita.
Gerard K. "Bud" Seiler, 46, died, and there were numerous injuries, several serious, the department said. Further details weren't available Sunday.
About 85 to 100 guests were attending the party at the home located at 1765 Road 25, about five miles south of Fall River.
"The cause of the collapse has not been officially determined at this time," the Elk County sheriff said. "However, it is quite likely that the balcony was overloaded for the type of construction."
The accident happened around 5 p.m. Saturday.
More than a dozen area rescue teams responded to the accident from nearby Greenwood County, Neosho County, Neodesha, Independence and Emporia, as well as state agencies.
Dee Gee, I don't think you need to apologize for posting what information was available to you at the time. You were merely reporting what was given on the TV stations. I had a similiar incident a while back by posting some false information that was printed in a newspaper several years ago. So I have an idea of how you feel about that. Hang in there, and keep on posting!
I am just thankful to get the information. It can always be straightened out later. The information Janet had was from the scanner they have and from the TV reporter that called her because they couldn't get any information from the sheriff's office. The newspaper account was better than what I have heard on TV and will probably be all we will get except for what Forum members hear and share, since our sheriff doesn't see fit to keep us informed. Even if he isn't able to write a news story he should have an employee that can.
Hello everyone, I'm a deck builder in wichita and I saw a part of the channel 10 report. As someone said before, I hope there is a "BUNCH OF LAWSUITS". What most people don't realize that for every 2foot square on a deck, should hold one 160 lb person. So a 10' x 20' deck should hold about 50 people before it would collapse. So the Sheriff didn't know what he was saying when he thought it was overloaded. Most law enforcement personal say the same thing when they respond to a deck collapse. The only way to really overload a properly constructed deck is to put a hot tub or a portable swimming pool on it. So I'm willing to bet that the deck was not built right. I like to study deck collapses. So if some pics become available or other info, I'd sure like to hear about it. Thanks, David
Davecoinc., When I watched KAKE on the report that Chris Frank gave, I could see the house and where the deck had been attached to the house. If you get a chance to see that video, you will see that it does not appear that any siding tore loose from the house. Talking to a contractor here in Howard, he said that it looked like the deck did not have any leg bolts? (is that the word I'm looking for)?
If the deck had been built and secured properly, it would not have pulled loose from the house. I do know the name of the contractor that put the deck on. I will share that with you if you want to send me an e-mail at janet_harrington@sbcglobal.net
I also know that the house was either a modular or a double-wide mobile. It was not a house that was built on that property. It was a house that was moved to the property and the deck attached.
Thank you, davesoinc. When I saw the media pictures, I thought it didn't look as if the deck was attached to the house properly. I don't know anything about construction but I have watched a lot of TV shows about construction, etc. Personally, I don't like being on any structure that moves or is more than 3 feet from the ground. But then, I am an old person.
Talking to a contractor here in Howard, he said that it looked like the deck did not have any leg bolts? (is that the word I'm looking for)?
Lag bolts is the term I was looking for.
Hi everyone, I'm trying to get a copy of the video from Kake. There was some problem with putting in on the web so now I have to go thru another company and try and get it that way. There may not have been enough lag bolts or you may have enough but if you put them in wrong the deck can still fall. The big question is how big the deck was. That will determine the how it was to be put together. If someone finds out what size it was that would help. Hopefully I get the video soon.
Davie, just because this old woman doesn't know, would you tell us the proper way of attaching a deck like that one to the house? I would really like to know.
Hey, forum,
If you want to see some beautiful decks, go to this website...
www.davecoinc.com
This is the website of one of our newest forum members. Just click on the pictures to get before and after pics. This website also gives you a small lesson what things to consider when having a deck built.
Wonderful website. Thanks, davecoinc.
just to say that the person killed worked at the john deere dealer ship in andale, KS