Twenty-one teens at a church camp rushed to Houston-area hospitals after the beach boardwalk collapsed; five taken by medical helicopter
- Part of a wooden ramp collapsed at Stahlman Park in Surfside Beach, Texas
- At least 21 people have been taken to hospital, five of whom have been airlifted, according to local media
- None of the campers suffered life-threatening injuries
Twenty-one teens were injured in Surfside Beach, Texas, when a section of the boardwalk at Stahlman Park gave way Thursday.
The incident happened at around 12:30 p.m. at the beachfront park.
Post-collapse photos show that a large piece of wood from the slope that appears to connect the boardwalk to the beach had collapsed in on itself.
Several Life Flight helicopters were sent to the scene; three landed near the park.
Hole can be seen in Stahlman Park walkway that collapsed Thursday, injuring 21 teens
The ramp leading from the walkway to the Gazebo, which collapsed around noon
The group of teenagers, 21 of whom were taken to hospital, wore matching pale yellow shirts
At least five teens have been flown to hospital, according to the Surfside Fire Department. None of the injured campers suffered life-threatening injuries.
According to local outlet The factsthe injured were part of a large group on the beach, all wearing matching yellow T-shirts.
Bayou City Fellowship leaders confirmed that the group of teens aged 14-18 was from the fellowship summer camp.
Emergency medical services from Surfside, Freeport, Oyster Creek, Clute and Lake Jackson were all called in to help treat the injured, according to local reports.
Law enforcement officers were seen inspecting the area after it was cleared.
Surfside Beach, Texas is a small town on the Gulf Coast about an hour south of Houston. It is located in the province of Brazoria and has less than 1,000 inhabitants.
Law enforcement officers inspect the area after the collapse
The assistant chief of the Surfside Beach Volunteer Fire Department, Justin Mills, said firefighters responded to a call at the park at 12:34 a.m. The department then set up a landing zone for hospital helicopters.
It is unclear how or why the footbridge collapsed.