Two teens injured as lighting tower collapses at Purim party
17-year-old boy in very serious condition
Ilan Ben Zion, a reporter at the Associated Press, is a former news editor at The Times of Israel. He holds a Masters degree in Diplomacy from Tel Aviv University and an Honors Bachelors degree from the University of Toronto in Near and Middle Eastern Civilizations, Jewish Studies, and English.
A 15-meter lighting tower fell and injured two teenage scouts — one very seriously — at a group Purim celebration in Ramat Aviv on Thursday afternoon.
Magen David Adom paramedics evacuated the two 17-year-olds, a boy and a girl, to Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv.
The boy was in serious condition after suffering head and stomach injuries and losing consciousness at the scene of the accident. Walla! news reported that he was anesthetized and connected to a respirator.
The girl was in light to moderate condition and, according an Israel Scouts spokesperson, was later released from the hospital.
Witnesses said that the massive fixture collapsed for no apparent reason, and paramedics interviewed at the scene provided no explanation.
A Tel Aviv municipality official told Walla news that the lighting tower’s base was corroded by rust, and a banner attached to it acted as a parachute, filling with air and causing the collapse.
Eli Yehuda, a municipality maintenance employee who was called to the scene, said other lighting fixtures were also heavily corroded and had to be removed.
The Israel Police and Tel Aviv municipality both opened investigations.
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