Deck Collapse at Off-Campus Homecoming Party Injures at Least 28 Near William & Mary

A Friday night homecoming celebration ended in sudden disaster in Williamsburg, Virginia, when an elevated back deck gave way at an off-campus residence, injuring at least 28 people. William & Mary confirmed that students were among those hurt in the collapse, though city officials stated that all reported injuries were non-life-threatening.

Emergency dispatchers received a call reporting a structure collapse around 10:07 p.m. On the 200 block of Matoaka Court. Responding firefighters and police officers arrived to find the home’s rear deck completely caved in. According to a Saturday morning update from the city, first responders transported 13 victims to local hospitals, while an additional 15 individuals sought medical care on their own.

Neighborhood Response and Emergency Dispatch

Neighbors told local television station WAVY that a packed homecoming gathering was underway when the wooden structure suddenly failed. An anonymous resident described emergency vehicles lining the residential road: “All the way down the street and wrapped around just ambulances and fire trucks,” the neighbor said, adding that at least nine ambulances were present as crews unloaded hospital gurneys into the street.

Joshua Wise, a student who lives next door, returned home after the initial rescue response had wrapped up. He noted that his housemate stepped in immediately to assist victims, helping classmates find rides home and ensuring people got where they needed to be. Wise praised both the swift action of local first responders and the immediate support offered by neighbors in the aftermath.

University and City Investigations

In a Saturday message to the campus community, Ginger Ambler, William & Mary’s senior vice president for student affairs and public safety, confirmed that officials were still gathering facts about the incident. Ambler noted that additional students might have sought medical attention beyond the initial count released by the city.

Expressing relief that none of the injuries were life-threatening, Ambler assured students that university health, academic, and support services were actively assisting those impacted by the traumatic event.

Municipal authorities and emergency services continue to collaborate with area hospitals to determine the final tally of patients treated. Williamsburg’s Codes Compliance Division has launched an investigation and is currently inspecting the Matoaka Court property to evaluate the structure and determine what caused the collapse.