dozens hurt as b.c. church floor collapses

ABBOTSFORD, B. C.
-Excited rock fans were urged to stop at B. C.
A large piece of floor collapsed and the lighting system fell from the ceiling before the church.
On Friday night, more than 40 people were injured at a concert at the abertsford Central Highland church, when the floor gave way.
The people who collapsed in the crowd fell a few meters underground.
The two were transferred to a hospital in Vancouver, and at least one of them was reportedly seriously injured. Seventeen-year-
Old Felicia Daase said she was farther away from the stage than where she collapsed.
She said the band was telling fans who had been jumping music before it happened to stop.
The floor collapsed like an elevator, landing in the basement, and a few seconds later, a large lighting and speaker system fell from the ceiling and landed on the audience, Daase said.
Rob Neiman, 42year-
Also at the concert, old abertsford said that after the incident, he looked down at the hole and saw the body lying on the floor, dozens of people scrambling in the wreckage.
Fraser Health spokesman David Sepp said the injured were either alone or reached four regional hospitals by ambulance.
He said that, in addition to the two being sent to Vancouver General Hospital for more professional care, all were treated and discharged from hospital.
The situation of the two who shipped to Vancouver was not known.
Police said about 1,000 young people were in the church, and when a large area in front of the stage gave way, some people fell into the ground a few meters.
Chris Douglas, chief pastor, told Vancouver radio station CKNW that the hall can accommodate up to 1,500 people.
He said the service plan on Sunday was going on as usual.
Most of the patients treated in the hospital suffered minor injuries. Const.
Kathy Veney of the abertsford Police Department said that every existing police officer responded, and some of the neighboring communities responded as well.
When they arrived at the scene, they saw a hole about 7 m wide on the floor.
\"It\'s very busy, and of course, parents, friends and others have come to the area as the news comes out,\" he said . \" One witness said people left with \"blood all over\"
\"When local health officials first received news of the collapse, they were told there were expected to be massive casualties, but the actual number of injuries was well below the level of concern.
Hospitals can cope with the burden, Mr. Sepp said.
\"Some of the staff heard about it on the radio and came in to help, and now they have been sent home,\" Sepp said . \".
\"The waiting room is empty.
Vinet said: \"All available abertsford police, local RCMP and ambulance personnel were sent to the scene.
Investigators will now try to determine what caused the collapse, Vinet said.
\"We have also called the forensic identification service, who will be responsible for checking the site, making charts, taking pictures, etc,\" he said . \".