Miami Sports Bar Deck Collapse Sends People Into Water
The deck at Shuckers Bar and Grill fell into the water, authorities said.
June 14, 2013— -- An outdoor deck at a Miami sports bar collapsed Thursday night, sending dozens of people watching the televised NBA Finals into Biscayne Bay, authorities said.
About 100 people were on the outdoor deck at Shuckers Bar and Grill in North Bay Village when it fell into the shallow water, Miami-Dade Fire and Rescue spokesman Lt. Eugene Germain told ABC News.
Miami-Dade Fire officials said two people were in serious condition and 24 others were transported to local hospitals.
Germain said some people were pulled from the water underneath the deck.
"We have located and we're in the process of treating approximately 24 victims. The other individuals involved are what we call walking-wounded individuals that are stable," he said.
Everyone has been accounted for, but divers and choppers worked the scene after the collapse to make sure there are no additional victims, Germain said.
WATCH: Miami Sports Bar Deck Collapses, Dozens Hurt
The incident occurred at about 9:20 p.m. as restaurant patrons were watching Game 4 of the NBA Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Miami Heat, restaurant officials said.
Witnesses say the outdoor deck collapsed after Heat fans jumped up to celebrate their team's scoring a basket.
Harrison Ruggiero was sitting close by when he heard people screaming.
"So we thought, naturally, it was because of the game, and we looked back ... the whole dock that was right behind us just dropped and people were in the water," Ruggiero said.
Bar customers who were spared turned into first responders within seconds and pulled people from the bay amid a chaotic scene, according to one witness who spoke to ABC News Radio. Another witness said there was yelling and crying, and that some patrons jumped into the water to help the victims.
"People were screaming, 'Help us, help us.' Everyone was frantic at that point we pulled people out of the water...," Ruggiero said.
Sadiyah Taba, a hostess at Shuckers Bar and Grill, escaped injury. She had just stepped off the deck before the collapse.
"It just happened so fast, and everyone started screaming and they ran," she said.
Taba said the deck can hold about 30 tables and each can seat five or more people.
After Miami's win in San Antonio, Heat player Dwayne Wade said, "I'd like to share our concerns as an organization and our gratitude to our fans back in Miami, but share our concerns for all that were injured tonight at Shuckers restaurant."
ABC News' Matt Gutman and ABC News Radio contributed to this report.
