Apollo theatre collapse: nine seriously injured

Part of the ceiling of the Apollo theatre in London’s theatre district collapsed during the middle of a packed performance.

Eyewitnesses described “chaos and panic” as parts of the Apollo theatre “began to crumble down” around them just after 8pm on Thursday.

Masonry and ornate plaster from the Grade II-listed theatre plummeted on to the stalls below, dragging a section of the balcony with it, striking members of the audience and filling the theatre with clouds of thick dust.

More than 700 people were inside the Apollo – which was 45 minutes into the National Theatre’s performance of The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-time – when members of the audience started screaming as it appeared parts of the ceiling caved in.

In total 79 patients were treated on the scene, 47 had suffered minor injuries and were categorised as being walking wounded, and nine had suffered more serious injuries including head and back injuries, the London Ambulance Service said on Friday.

Incident Commander Maria Smith, who was one of the first on scene, said: “When I arrived it was dark and extremely dusty and people were lying on the floor of the theatre.

“We very quickly set up a casualty clearing area in the foyer of the theatre and the walking wounded were assessed and treated there for injuries such as cuts and grazes, breathing problems and head injuries.”

At least six fire engines were called to the theatre to help with rescue efforts and the area around the central London theatre remained cordoned off after emergency services rushed to the scene.

Westminster Council’s cabinet member for community protection, Nicola Aiken, told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: “District surveyors have attended and declared that the ceiling structure is sound and only plaster fell.

“Today we are waiting for the police to hand over the theatre to us as we are the health and safety authority for historic theatres in Westminster and we will be doing checks of all historic theatres’ consents and licensing today in liaison with the Society of London Theatres because we want to reassure theatre-goers that theatres are safe to attend.

“We will be carrying out the investigation as to why the accident happened in the first place, but that will take some time.”

Another eyewitness from #Apollo in shock was in Kenya when Westgate Mall attack happened

— Ed Fraser (@frasereC4) December 19, 2013

A spokesman for the Society of London Theatre added: “The exact cause of the incident is still being investigated and the theatre owners, Nimax, are working closely with the relevant authorities to establish exactly what happened.

“Our theatres entertain over 32,000 people in central London every night and all theatres take the safety of their audience, performers and staff very seriously.

“Every theatre undergoes rigorous safety checks and inspections by independent experts, and incidents like last night are extremely rare.

“At a meeting today all the major theatre owners have confirmed that their safety inspections and certificates are up to date, and will co-operate fully with the authorities to reassure the public that their theatres are safe. All other London theatres remain open for business today and in the coming weeks.”

Charlie Bostock, who was in the theatre with his family, told Channel 4 News: “We were sitting right underneath. A big chunk of the balcony fell down during the production, there was dust everywhere, debris falling on us.

“Thank god, my family is ok. But there are some people here with serious injuries. Everyone is very shocked.”

Charlie and his family are in a nearby theatre receiving medical treatment.

“Lots of people managed to get out quite calmly, it’s a small theatre. I don’t know what happened. They are just treating people as near as they can.”

Kingsland station manager Nick Harding, from London Fire Service, said: “A section of the theatre’s ceiling collapsed on to the audience who were watching the show. The ceiling took parts of the balconies down with it.

“Firefighters worked really hard in very difficult conditions and I’d like to pay tribute to them. They rescued people from the theatre, made the area safe and then helped ambulance crews with the injured.

“In my time as a fire officer I’ve never seen an incident like this. I imagine lots of people were out enjoying the show in the run-up to Christmas. My thoughts go out to all those affected.”

Martha Holeyman was also in the audience, in the gods section at the top of the theatre.

“All I can remember was that people started screaming,” she told Channel 4 News.

“There was a line right down the middle of the roof. Half of it caved in. I didn’t see a lot. That’s what petrified me, it looked like debris but it was really quite heavy…at that point I ran out, because I thought the rest of the roof could fall in.”

A spokesman for London Mayor Boris Johnson said he has spoken to the Met Police Commissioner and is liaising with the relevant agencies, adding: “His thoughts and prayers are with those involved in what is clearly a very serious incident.”

A district surveyor from Westminster City Council is expected to carry out a structural assessment of the building during the night

It is thought the engineer, who will be accompanied by police officers, will spend most of the night getting access inside the theatre to ensure it is safe.