Deck collapse survivors describe crash

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A man and woman who survived a deck collapse at a condominium in South Austin Sunday morning returned to the scene this afternoon to get their belongings.

"It was like boom boom and then you heard everyone screaming 'help, help,'" said Erica Hagar, 21, who was among the 30 people on the wooden deck attached to the condominium unit when it collapsed. "It was a nightmare."

According to police, residents at the Garden Court Condominiums located near Oltorf Street  and Sunridge Drive in South Austin, were hosting a party and many of the guests were on the balcony at the time of the collapse.

Hagar said she came to the house to party around 3:30 a.m. with her boyfriend and friends.

"Luckily, I was sitting in a chair and not standing like other people," Hagar said while choking back tears.  "My boyfriend saved me, he pulled me up. I was on top but my feet were under people.  I was the first one through the sliding glass door."

Hagar returned this afternoon to try and get her friend's belongings and keys.  She told KXAN, two of her friends were injured and were taken to University Medical Center Brackenridge and separate hospitals in Round Rock.

"My friend had to get stitches in her eye and my other friend, he has a broken back," Hagar added.

Close to two dozen people were taken to area hospitals.  The most critical patients were treated at Brackenridge, according to Dr. Christopher Ziebell with Seton Hospitals who spoke at a press conference at University Medical Center Brackenridge on Sunday to provide patient updates.

Omar Flemming, 29, said he attended the party with his 37-year-old sister, who was hurt and treated at an area hospital. Omar said he helped hold the deck up and tried to save people.

"A girl's leg was up under the balcony.  People had blood on their head and were saying 'help me, help,"" Flemming recalled. "It took 12 to 15 men just to hold the balcony up so people could move."

Both Flemming and Hagar believe they are lucky to be alive and are still in disbelief.

"You just never think the floor is going to come out from underneath you.  It is a really scary feeling," Hagar said while trembling.

Sunday morning City of Austin code compliance officers were on the scene to inspect.

"We need to look at it if it was permitted and what type of process went into building it," says Ron Potts, City of Austin assistant division manager, code compliance.

They will begin their initial investigation Monday morning.

Neighbors and Flemming told KXAN the balcony was rebuilt only a couple months ago.