Miami deck collapse sends 100 into bay

MIAMI — A packed outdoor deck behind a popular Miami-area sports bar collapsed during the NBA Finals on Thursday night, sending dozens of patrons into the shallow waters of Biscayne Bay. Three people were critically injured.

Lt. Ignatius Carroll of Miami Fire-Rescue said late Thursday that 100 people fell into the water. He said rescuers pulled patrons from the bay, and that divers were searching waters underneath the collapsed deck as helicopters shined spotlights onto the area.

Carroll said authorities were not sure if everyone was accounted for.

The accident occurred around 9:45 p.m. at Shucker’s Bar & Grill in North Bay Village, north of Miami Beach, as customers were watching the Miami Heat play the San Antonio Spurs.

WSVN-TV reports that 24 people were injured.

News director Tom Tuckwell told the news station that he had his back to the bay when he heard an enormous roar. When he turned around, he saw people disappeared beneath them.