911 calls released in deck collapse

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Several 911 calls released Tuesday revealed the chaotic aftermath of a deck collapse in Southeast Austin.

Callers remained calm, but told dispatchers they needed help right away.

• Listen to the first 911 call after the deck collapse

One caller tells a dispatcher, "A deck collapsed on like 100 people.”  When a dispatcher asked if there was any serious bleeding, the caller replies, "yes."

Another caller reports to the dispatcher, "they're having a party over there and I just heard it collapse. You can probable hear the people over there right now. We just need to rescue people here."

When the dispatcher asks one caller how many people were hurt, he responds, "there's no telling.  It's pretty bad."

One of those callers was David Bentley, who survived the fall while standing on the deck.

"Something just gave way- there was 2 pops- and that was it," said Bentley. "I'm just glad that everybody for the most part is OK because it could have been a whole lot worse."

Bentley was on the deck, with several friends, including Nathan Wilkins, who remembers falling, but not landing.

"There was a girl laying next to me and she wasn't moving at all- and a girl laying in front of me had a hold of my legs," said Wilkins. "I was scared- plain and simple."

Code compliance officers have not been able to talk to Victor Wong - the man who lived in the condo. He is in the hospital with serious back injuries. His brother, Calvin Wong owns the condo, but lives in Cedar Park.

TABC is investigating the collapse along with Austin police. They said there may have been alcohol violations and that Wong may have been having illegal parties.

Code compliance officers said they are hoping Victor will be able answer the question of who built the deck. Neighbors said it had not been up for very long.