A aluminum truss may have been the weak link in a church concert set-up where the floor collapsed, dumping some sixty young people into the floor below, says a concert technician.
Myles Bukowsky was at the Starfield concert in Abbotsford Friday night, and believes that the aluminum truss was the wrong choice for a wooden church floor.
"I know from my concert experience that it's an awesome system that is designed for an arena floor where...you're on solid ground," he said.
"It had sort of been in the back of my mind all the time that this could happen if it's unstable," he said, recalling that he was worried about the truss holding speakers and lights when he was in the bleachers.
About 1,000 young people were jumping to Starfield's music on Friday night at Central Heights Church in Abbotsford when a large section of the floor suddenly collapsed into the basement below. A large lighting and sound system also crashed on top of them.
In all, 44 people were hospitalized, with three seriously injured -- one with a serious head and neck injury, another with a compound fracture of the hand, and another with a fractured leg.
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Authorities aren't speculating about what caused the collapse, though police say investigators will likely enlist the help of an engineer to help sort out what happened.
The band playing at the concert posted to its website that it was "consumed with concern" for the people who were hospitalized after the show.
"There was a serious accident at our concert...and many young people were injured," the band wrote.
"At this moment, we are consumed with concern and compassion for those who were injured, especially for those who were described to be in serious condition. Our hearts are with them. We ask that you join us in prayer for them," the band said.
Of the 40 people who were admitted, two are still in hospital. One is a 41-year-old woman, and the other is a child.
On Sunday, more than 1,000 people streamed into the gym at Columbia Bible College, the temporary home of Central Heights Church.
"The family of God is hurting here in Abbotsford, so we want to pray for those who are hurting," said Central Height's senior pastor, Chris Douglas.
Some of those hurting after Friday's accident were back dancing today at church. But some, like 13-year-old Fiona, have not quite recovered.
"It's just like the shock hasn't worn off," she said. "This is still a dream, this isn't really happening."
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Dag Sharman
