The New Zealand Herald

Balcony collapse at Christmas party

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Two women are dead and 17 people are injured after a balcony collapsed during a Tupperware Christmas party at a Melbourne house.

It is believed more than 30 people were on the balcony at the Doncaster East house when it collapsed on Saturday night, trapping several people underneath.

A 59-year-old Croydon woman died at the scene while a Reservoir woman, 37, died in hospital yesterday.

The balcony collapsed during what is believed to be a Christmas party for Tupperware sales consultant­s.

Ten women and seven men, aged between 20 and 69, were taken to hospitals with soft tissue injuries, fractures and laceration­s.

About a dozen people were treated by paramedics at the scene at Balinga Court but did not require hospitalis­ation.

“This is a very tragic incident for those involved and our thoughts are with them and their loved ones at this time,” Holman said.

Firefighte­rs helped to rescue people who were trapped under the collapsed balcony, an MFB spokeswoma­n said.

A number of Tupperware cars remained parked outside the house yesterday, while Christmas lights were still on at the home’s entrance.

Tupperware products are marketed directly to buyers by a network of sales people and the brand has become synonymous with food storage containers.

Police are investigat­ing the collapse and will prepare a report for the coroner. — AAP

 ?? Picture / AAP ?? The exterior of the property where the accident occurred at Doncaster East, Melbourne.
Picture / AAP The exterior of the property where the accident occurred at Doncaster East, Melbourne.

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