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Several injured after deck collapses at downtown Savannah bar

Several injured after deck collapses at downtown Savannah bar 2
Several injured after deck collapses at downtown Savannah bar
Posted at 12:00 PM, Mar 18, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-18 08:29:07-04

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Fourteen people were injured after the deck of Rogue Water Tap House collapsed Saturday evening.

Chatham EMS were on scene in minutes, as their command post was right around the block. 

Brian Holloway was visiting his son from Ohio and was sitting at the bar when it all happened. He said he had never seen anything like it. 

"People are flying out trying to get out of the bar," Holloway said. "My son and all the other bartenders went back to find out what was going on."

One firefighter was visiting from New York to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but ended up rescuing some of the victims. 

"I ran in the back and some people were running in the back and I was yelling at people to get out," the first responder said. "Get out. That's what happened and I just did what I did.

The deck fell from a height of 12 feet onto people underneath. The restaurant manager said they heard the siren going off and people came running inside asking for them to call 911. They say they did what a restaurant should never do in other situations, which is drop everything they were doing and attending to their customers.

Two had serious injuries, according to Savannah Fire. People received treatment at three local hospitals. 

EMS transported seven people to Memorial Hospital. The hospital admitted one of those patients. The other six left after being treated and released. 

Two also received treatment at St. Joseph's/Candler Hospital. Both walked in. 

Emergency officials responded to the scene a little before 5 p.m. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard was closed between Bay and Broughton Streets for a portion of time as first responders arrived at the scene. 

Chris Clarke, the owner of Rogue Water, has since released a statement, as seen below.

"We are deeply saddened by the terrible incident that occurred today during a time of celebration in our city. Our thoughts are with those injured and impacted. The safety of our customers and staff are of the utmost importance and we have been working closely and cooperating fully with the City of Savannah Fire Marshal and building inspector." 

The bar has since re-opened.

Copyright 2018 WTOC. All rights reserved. 


SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Thirteen people were injured in a building collapse at Rogue Water Taphouse Saturday evening.

Several people are in critical condition. Injured people were transported to three local hospitals. 

Savannah fire is on scene. 

Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard is closed between Bay and Broughton Streets, with officials advising for people to avoid the area. 

Stay with WTOC as we work to bring updates to this developing story. 

Copyright 2018 WTOC. All rights reserved.