A wedding turns to tragedy in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts

Photo Antoine Lacroix
A section of the stairs is missing after the collapse of the structure on the wedding guests.

Antoine Lacroix

Thursday, 17 August, 2017 06:30

UPDATE
Thursday, 17 August, 2017 06:30

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A dream wedding turned into a nightmare Saturday night in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts when the stairs of a cottage rented for the occasion collapsed under the weight of the guests who took just photo.

The 22 guests were installed in the outdoor stairs of the luxury chalet named The Castle, belonging to the Chalets Lac à la Truite, to immortalize the day.

But the steps have given, for a reason still unknown, putting an abrupt end to the celebrations for the newlyweds and their loved ones.

It is the caterer of the wedding which has had to contact the emergency services, who quickly arrived on the scene, so that the buffet had not even been started.

At least nine people were transported by ambulance for various injuries, said Daniel Thibault, director general of Ambulance Gilles Thibault.

“Five patients have been sent to Sainte-Agathe, and four to the hospital of Saint-Jérôme. When they are wounded more seriously, it always sends more to the south, ” he says.

The bride’s mother, aged 78, would have suffered injuries the more important in this mishap, according to our information. She would have had the elbow broken in three places.

It is only at around 22: 30 that the last ambulance was able to leave the cottage, located on the rue Genteman, in the Laurentians.

Photo from the internet

Before

New tenants

Attached to the telephone by The Newspaper, the family of which the marriage has been clouded by the accident, has preferred not to comment on the situation.

Passing on the scene Monday, it was possible to see that the debris had been picked up and that The Castle can accommodate up to 24 people, was rented to another family.

The administration of Chalets Lac à la Truite is said really sorry for the unfortunate accident that occurred at the luxurious three-storey cottage, which can be used for “family reunion, an anniversary, a small wedding or a business meeting,” according to its website.

“Damage “

“I wish them all the best and a good recovery. It really is a shame what happened. […] They were just getting married, I have a lot of trouble for them, ” said the owner, who preferred not to identify.

But according to the enterprise registrar of Quebec, the chalet belongs to Diana and Waldemar Gentemann.

On-site, the owner contends that it is in no way responsible for what occurred. “The stairs are for up and down, and not for stands. The estimated weight is 3500 to 4000 [pounds], ” -told the Newspaper.

“It is in the hands of the insurers, there is no decision that can be made prior to 30 days according to the law,” said the administration, when questioned as to whether the family would be compensated.