Tuesday, July 04, 2000
Lawmaker nearby when terrace fell
Armbruster made two emergency calls
By
The Associated Press
ELYRIA — A state lawmaker visiting a Lake Erie winery when a concrete terrace collapsed used a megaphone to direct rescue efforts and twice called for emergency help.
State Sen. Jeffry Armbruster, R-North Ridgeville, was visiting the Lonz Winery on Middle Bass Island on Saturday when a section of the terrace collapsed.
Of at least 75 people injured, 24 remained hospitalized Monday. “It was a horrifying experience,” he told the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram in an interview published Monday. “It was horrifying, that's all I can say.”
None of the 14 friends and relatives in his party was hurt. One person was killed in the accident.
“We were out in the yard area, and the winery was very full, but not overly full,” he said. “It was just a good time.”
When he heard there had been an accident, Mr. Armbruster said, he rushed through the winery to reach the area.
Mr. Armbruster said he made a 911 call and urged that authorities send all the help possible. “This is a very serious situation,” Mr. Armbruster told the 911 operator.
Mr. Armbruster used a megaphone to help direct rescue work, and called 911 again when the magnitude of the injuries became apparent.
“This is worse than I ever anticipated,” he said in the second call.
“Send everything from Metro (the trauma unit of MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland), send everything you've got,” he said in the second call.
Mr. Armbruster remained on the island until 8 p.m. Saturday, about 15 minutes after the last victim was removed from the island.
Other island visitors who helped with the rescue included Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Steve Zahursky and New York Giants wide receiver Joe Jurevicius.
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