Two dead in balcony drop
Staff Christmas party tragedy
A CHRISTMAS photo on a Melbourne balcony turned deadly on the weekend when the deck collapsed, killing two women and injuring 10 others.
Tupperware sales staff were celebrating at the Christmas party on Saturday night when the overloaded wooden floorboard cracked then collapsed under the stress of the 30 staff members.
Devastated colleagues were last night mourning the loss of two women — a 59-year-old woman from Croydon who died at the scene and a 37-yearold Reservoir woman who died in hospital yesterday morning.
It is believed the group had posed for a photo near a fridge and barbecue when the decking collapsed, sending partygoers crashing to the ground, along with debris.
A further 10 women and seven men, ranging in age from 20 to 69, sustained soft tissues injures, fractures and lacerations.
They were taken to Box Hill, Austin and Maroondah hospitals.
Paramedics were on the scene for hours treating dozens of other partygoers.
Yvonne Nunn and her husband Chris run The Ovation Sales tupperware company and were hosting the party at their rental home.
Neighbours said Ms Nunn was among those taken to hospital. Mr Nunn returned to the scene about 3.30pm yesterday and spent half an hour speaking to police.
Owners of the property said they were “shocked” at the horrific accident.
“Those living in the property were good people, we never had any issues with them,” the owner said.
“This property means a lot to us and we’re just so sorry this has happened. Especially this close to Christmas”.
Dannii Rossit was at the Christmas party when the balcony collapsed, killing two of her “friends and colleagues”.
“Just want to let family and friends know Jason and I are OK,” she wrote in a Facebook post yesterday afternoon.
“Thanks to everyone who has sent us messages. Physically we are fine, but in shock and absolutely devastated at losing two wonderful friends and colleagues in this tragedy.”
Neighbours heard “frantic” and “panicked screaming” only to run across the street to find men and women trapped under rubble including a fridge and a barbecue.
One neighbour said bloodied victims banged on his door while screaming for help.
Another, Andrew Stone, described the scene as “biblical”.
“I heard crashing. People were walking around with blood on them ... crying ... it was devastating really,” he said.