Seven members of a Spring City family were injured Sunday when a balcony at their home collapsed, dropping them about 20 feet to the ground below.
Adam Burningham, who teaches at Snow College; his wife, Deirdre; and five of their nine children were hurt when the accident occurred about 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, said Clarke Christensen, Spring City’s police/fire chief.
“It was a significant fall, and all seven members of the Burningham family had to be transported to the hospital,” he said. Injuries include broken legs and arms, a fractured back and internal injuries. The injured family members included children ranging in age from about 10 to late teens and their parents.
By Monday, all but one had been released from the hospital. “Considering the fall and everything else, they were very, very lucky,” said Christensen, who added that it appeared the accident was a “structural failure” caused by “poor construction.”
Several members of the family are members of the Spring City Volunteer Fire Department; four of them had “just finished EMT training, which they were able to employ until other medical assistance arrived,” Christensen said.
Spring City, the Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office, the Utah Highway Patrol and North Sanpete Ambulance all responded to the accident.
Friends of the family have started a GoFundMe page to help pay the medical bills. The Das Cafe in Spring City — where several members of the family have worked — is also planning a fundraising dinner; details are pending.
