24 Injured In Deck Collapse at North Carolina Beach

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EMERAL ISLE, North Carolina — An extended family vacationing in Emerald Isle was involved in a residential deck collapse on Saturday, July 4th.

The deck collapsed shortly before 7 pm at an oceanfront vacation rental home located at 4403 Ocean Drive as the family was in the process of taking a family photo before their departure the next day.

The Town organization, the vacation rental company managing their rental home,
and others in the community have been working hard to assist the family in any way possible.

Updated information is as follows:

THE FAMILY
• As of 10:30 am on July 5, a total of 5 individuals remain hospitalized. A total of 4 individuals are
being treated at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC, and 1 is being treated at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. We are told that a total of 2 individuals remain in critical condition.
• The group included many members of an extended family gathered at a home located at 4403 Ocean Drive. The extended family was vacationing in multiple vacation rental homes in Emerald Isle, but had gathered at 4403 Ocean Drive on July 4.
• Many of the family members are from Northern Virginia. All family members have now departed Emerald Isle.
• A total of 24 individuals were treated at Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, NC . In total, 16 individuals were transported by emergency medical service providers, and the remainder were transported by private automobile.

• The family has requested privacy in this difficult time, and the Town greatly respects that privacy. No additional information about the family will be shared at this time. The Town must also comply with applicable HIPAA laws.

THE VACATION RENTAL HOME
• The vacation rental home is located at 4403 Ocean Drive in Emerald Isle, on the oceanfront in the central / eastern area of Emerald Isle.
• The vacation rental home was constructed in 1986, and is owned by a NC family.
• The property is managed by Bluewater Vacation Rentals, an Emerald Isle real estate, vacation rental, and construction company that was founded in 1986 and began offering vacation rentals in 1993.
• The vacation rental home has been posted and secured as unsafe.

THE DECK COLLAPSE
• The deck collapse occurred shortly before 7 pm. The 911 call was received at 6:59 pm, and Emerald Isle Fire, EMS, and Police units arrived on scene within minutes.
• First responders on scene observed numerous individuals with injuries ranging from minor to critical.
• Victims were treated and triaged at the scene and transported via helicopter and ambulance.
• Fire and EMS units from nearby Indian Beach / Salter Path, Atlantic Beach, Pine Knoll Shores, Morehead City, Western Carteret, and Broad & Gales Creek offered invaluable assistance to Emerald Isle personnel.
• The area of the deck collapse is the western ~ 1/3 of the rear (oceanfront) deck. The area that collapsed is approximately 12 ft x 12 ft and is located approximately 14 feet above the ground surface. The piling supports in the area of the collapse remain intact, and the remaining ~ 2/3 of the deck remains intact and connected to the home.
• The scene was completely cleared by approximately 8:30 pm on July 4.

PRELIMINARY FINDINGS
• The Emerald Isle Police Department and the Carteret County Planning and Inspections Department, with assistance from the Emerald Isle Town Planner, continue their work on this incident, and a final report has not yet been issued.
• A final report is expected to be released within the next few days.
• Preliminary findings indicate that floor joists and deck boards simply collapsed due to deteriorated fasteners (nails). Support pilings and other structural components remain intact.
• The preliminary review by the Building Inspector indicates that the deck would have met current construction standards, and that the fasteners simply deteriorated.

Photo source: Charlotte Observer

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