Camp Chula Vista Campers Injured

Balcony, Landing and Ramp Collapse
Contact: John S. Robison, State Fire Marshal
334-241-4166

6/4/2003

Over two-dozen campers at Camp Chula Vista were injured Tuesday June 3rd when a wood balcony and ramp at the dining hall collapsed.  Twenty-three of the injured were transported to area hospitals by ambulances while another two or three were transported in privately owned vehicles.

Approximately thirty campers, many teenagers, were standing on the balcony outside the dining hall around noon.  When the double doors of the dining hall were opened, the balcony and ramp separated from the building dumping the campers onto concrete approximately eleven feet below.

The camp, located at 1000 Chula Vista Lane, is owned and operated by the Alabama Church of God General Assembly.

Inspectors with the Alabama State Fire Marshals Office have determined the balcony and ramp, constructed approximately one year ago, were not built in compliance with state adopted codes.

All but four of the injured were treated and released from the hospital.  No injuries were reported to be life threatening.

The entire camp has been inspected since the accident and church officials have been made aware of any corrections that are needed.  Some corrections were made Tuesday evening when inspectors were first at the site.

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