Bleachers collapse, injuring woman
By KALEY CONNER
A set of bleachers collapsed Thursday night at Hank Speier Ball Park, 10th and Vine, leaving one person injured.
The victim, described as a woman in her 20s, was transported to the hospital with a leg injury following the incident, which occurred at about 8 p.m.
According to Bill Meagher, sports director for the Hays Recreation Commission, spectators were watching an HRC game when everyone on the bleachers, which stand about 4 feet tall, shifted their weight to avoid a fly ball.
"I would say it's more just a freak deal," he said.
The game was being played on Speier No. 3, a field that is usually only used for make-up games, Meagher said. The accident occurred with only two minutes left in the game, which was called off early.
Meagher was coaching on a different field at the time.
Hays Police, the Hays Fire Department and Ellis County EMS responded to the call, with Police Chief James Braun and City Manager Toby Dougherty also on the scene shortly after the incident occurred.
Dougherty said he heard reports suggesting the bleachers were full at the time of the accident.
The park is owned and maintained by the city, and Dougherty said efforts are underway to replace bleachers throughout the city.