The Unfortunate Incident at Kendall County Fair Grounds
On August 31, a tragic incident occurred at the Kendall County Fair Grounds in Boerne, Texas, when a section of bleachers at the rodeo arena partially collapsed, resulting in 12 injuries. The City of Boerne revealed that the bleachers had not been inspected prior to the collapse and that no building permits had been issued at the fairgrounds since January 2023. It was reported that the bleachers were an old structure that had been salvaged.
According to city officials, welding work was being done on the bleachers leading up to the day before the rodeo, and a fence has since been placed around the damaged area. An inspection is scheduled to take place within the next week, and a structural report will be completed within the next three weeks.
No Violations Found Before the Collapse
Records obtained by KSAT Investigates show that three inspectors visited the Kendall County Fair Grounds on August 30 for a general inspection ahead of the Labor Day weekend fair. The inspection included carnival rides, food trucks, fire extinguishers, electrical layouts, exhibit halls, and exits. After conducting a walkthrough, the inspectors found no violations at the fairgrounds, although the inspection did not include an inspection of any structures.
Hours after the collapse, city officials conducted an inspection which revealed damage under the seats where the metal had buckled and split. However, no report from this inspection is currently available.
Key Details of the Incident
The bleachers collapsed around 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, resulting in 12 injuries. Eight individuals, ranging from seven to 79 years old, were taken to the hospital, and as of Thursday, a 79-year-old woman remains hospitalized. Subsequent to the incident, Saturday evening festivities at the fairgrounds were postponed.
For more updates and detailed reporting on this incident, visit the KSAT Investigates page. Stay tuned for further coverage on KSAT as the story develops.
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