Shamsiya Hussainpoor
A balcony in the Dandenong Ranges collapsed on Friday 5 April, resulting in two people, including an on-duty paramedic, being hospitalised.
SES and Ambulance Victoria had responded to a medical call-out on Dandenong Tourist Road, Olinda about 6.30pm.
Four paramedics and two SES workers were on a balcony treating a patient when it collapsed.
The 71-year-old patient from Olinda was trapped in the debris for half an hour before he was discharged and taken to hospital.
Two paramedics were assessed at the scene, with one taken to hospital.
SES were also on scene and no SES members were injured.
Emerald SES Unit Controller Ben Owen said as they were making their way down the stairs, the balcony collapsed under their feet, including the patient in his wheelchair.
“The condition of the patient didn’t change to my knowledge, based on the feedback I got from the paramedics before, during and after the balcony collapsed,” he said.
“The police, ambulance and CFAs all worked extremely well together after the incident to free the gentleman and to ensure everybody was ok.”
An Ambulance Victoria spokesperson confirmed paramedics were treating the patient on the property’s balcony when the balcony collapsed.
Transported by road to hospital, one of the paramedics suffered upper body injuries.
“Another person was transported to hospital by road for assessment,” Ambulance Victoria said.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
