A CHURCH GALLERY FALLS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8222, 5 April 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

A CHURCH GALLERY FALLS.

—__<► ABOUT 20 PERSONS BURIED AND SEVERAL BADLY INJURED. London", Feb. 115. — An accident of an alarming character, by which several persons were seriously injured, occurred tonight during Divine service at the Bromley Independent Church. Across the end of lbs building, over the entrance, was fixed a balcony capable of holding 60 or 70 persons. While the pastor was reading the lessons the gallery, with scarcely any warning, suddenly collapsed, precipitating its occupants into the body of the church. A cloud of dust obscured tho view of the remainder of the congregation for a few minutes, but when it cleared away it became obvious that a number of persons were buried beneath the ruins of the gallery. The fallen debris caused an obstruction at the entrance, and prevented any assistance being rendered from tho outside, but willing hands were soon at work clearing away the fallen timbers and extricating the unfortunate occupants of the fallen gallery from their perilous position. The gallery was pretty well filled at the time of its fall, ami about 'JO persons were buried. The work of removing the debris occupied some time. When this was accomplished it was found that, though most of the victims of the accident were only severely bruised and cut, five had received serious injuries, which in some instances may prove fatal. One young lady was unconscious when extricated. Two medical gentlemen in the congregation attended to the injured, of whom several hail broken legs and arms, while others had internal injuries.