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Berkeley Balcony Collapse Victims
Berkeley Balcony Collapse Victims
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Berkeley Balcony Collapse Victims Obituary
All least five of the dead were Irish students in the country on visas that enable young people to work and travel in the U.S. over the summer, Ireland's foreign minister said.
Police and fire and building officials were working to determine what caused the roughly 5-by-10-foot metal-railed balcony to break loose from the side of the stucco apartment building. It tipped downward and landed on the 3rd-floor balcony below, spilling victims onto the pavement.
"I just heard a bang and a lot of shouting," said Dan Sullivan, a 21-year-old student from Ireland who was asleep in the five-story building. Mark Neville, another Irish student in the building, said: "I walked out and I saw rubble on the street and a bunch of Irish students crying."
Police had gotten a complaint about a loud party in the apartment about an hour before the accident but had not yet arrived when the balcony gave way just after 12:30 a.m., police spokesman Officer Byron White said. Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny said police told him 13 people were on the balcony.
The Library Gardens apartment complex is about two blocks from the Berkeley campus and is a popular place for students to live. After the accident, city building inspectors barred use of the balconies while they are inspected for safety.
The apartments were built in 2006, the Los Angeles Times reported. The complex is managed by Greystar Management, whose website says the company operates more than 400,000 units in the U.S. and abroad. A call to Greystar officials was not immediately returned.
Within hours of the tragedy, small makeshift memorials to the dead sprang up on the pavement.
Irish President Michael D. Higgins said that he "heard with the greatest sadness of the terrible loss of life of young Irish people and the critical injury of others in Berkeley, California, today. My heart goes out to the families and loved ones of all those involved."
Jerry Robinson, who lives nearby, told San Francisco news station KGO-TV that he had just gotten out of a movie when two hysterical people flagged down his car asking for a ride to a hospital to check on injured friends.
"They were friends of the people who were on the balcony. A couple of the women did not have shoes. One of the women had blood on her knees," he said.
___
KRISTIN J. BENDER, Associated Press
Associated Press writers Christopher Weber in Los Angeles and Bob Seavey in Phoenix contributed to this report.
Copyright © 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
96 Entries
M James
June 10, 2016
My condolences to the family its sad to lose someone.
M James
June 10, 2016
My deepest sympathy to the family with the passing of their loved one.
D A
June 25, 2015
My most sincere condolences for the loss of your loved one. May the God of loyal love comfort you during your time of sorrow. May God's word provide you strength and comfort at this difficult time. "He heals the brokenhearted; and binds up their wounds". Psalms 147:1. "God is our refuge and strength, a help that is readily found in times of distress". Psalms 46:1.
How you can show support
Sherry Moores-Fanning
June 24, 2015
Prayers To Ireland...And Family.
J Andrews
June 23, 2015
My condolences to the family and friends. May God comfort your hearts. 1 Cor. 1:4
June 22, 2015
With deep sorry John 5:27-29
declan caroline and family connaughton
June 19, 2015
We will forever hold you in our prayers xxx
Lerann O Donoghue
June 19, 2015
Thinking of you all at this sad time x
Ms Pat G
June 19, 2015
My sincere condolences to all. May you gain comfort through many prayers (Psalm 102:1).
Pauline and barney Gannon
June 19, 2015
condolences to all the family's and speed recovery to all in hospital love and prayers
tonia stoddard
June 19, 2015
Sorry for your loss
Barbara Thomas
June 19, 2015
Deepest heartfelt sympathy to all
June 18, 2015
I extend my heartfelt condolences on the loss of your loved one. May you find peace in knowing that God cares for you and will sustain you during these difficult times. (Psalm 72:12,13)
Helen O ' Reilly
June 18, 2015
May the loving God welcome into his heavenly home the young people who lost their lives and comfort their loved ones and friends. May he keep all the injured in his loving embrace and may they all recover to full health. Will remember all in my prayers and at mass. Godbless all.
June 18, 2015
May they rest in peace. Condolences to the families.
June 18, 2015
To all the families of the Irish students, we send our prayers and sympathy.John and Noreen Conway.
June 18, 2015
This is very sad , my condolence to the family may God comfort you during thie time of sadness 1corinthans 1:4
Paulette
June 18, 2015
What a sad situation. To the families of all the victims please accept my deepest sympathy and condolences. You all are in my prayers.
June 18, 2015
This is very sad, however please take comfort in knowing tthat the true God will never forget or turn his back on you in your time of need (Acts 17:24,25) "The God who made the world and all the things in it, being, as he is, Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in handmade temples; nor is he served by human hands as if he needed anything, because he himself gives to all people life and breath and all things." may you all comfort.
DJ Florida
Eugene Cosgrove
June 18, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the injured and families of the dead and injured and may those who died so tragically rest in peace.
June 18, 2015
Rest in Peace
Rory
June 17, 2015
This is the saddest, worst news I have heard all year, has much more gravity and tragic, insurmountable consequences than any basketball game win that took over the front page today. It's a worldwide, horrific event that will eat at me for a very long time. R.I.P. sweet, young loved souls, sympathy to all families, friends, and colleagues.
Holly
June 17, 2015
Such a tragic event saddens our hearts..To the families, May peace be with you in this difficult time !
CJ
June 17, 2015
My deepest condolences to all the families,May the true God be a refuge and strong hold to all. (Psalm 91:2)
June 17, 2015
May your beloved ones rest in peace, and may Eternal Light shine upon them. So saddened by your loss; I offer sincere condolences.
Catherine
Ben Lynch
June 17, 2015
Heartfelt sympathies to all the families on this terrible Tragedy. May they rest in peace
Stacy
June 17, 2015
Sincere condolences to family and loved ones. May the God of all comfort be with you.
Cin and Ant
June 17, 2015
May the Grace and Glory of God comfort all in such a terrible time of grief. To all who lost a dear loved one know that we all hurt for you and pray for you.
June 17, 2015
very sad...condolences to the families and friends
Jane Dowling
June 17, 2015
God bless you all ~
June 17, 2015
Families of those killed and hurt during the collapse of the balcony,
Our hearts go out to all of you in this tragedy. Our prayers are with you.
Orlando
June 17, 2015
I can only imagine how devastated the families must be. I'm really sorry for their loss. Be sure that our Heavenly Father can grant you the strength to deal with such a tragic loss. May He take you all under His wings of protection and help you during your journey of moving forward. Please accept my sincere condolences.
June 17, 2015
My condolences to the families that lost love ones during this time of grief.
Glen Hausfeld
June 17, 2015
Peace.
Donna Mattingly
June 17, 2015
How very sad that such young lives should be taken. May God comfort those who have suffered this tragic loss.
Patti Beattu
June 17, 2015
May you rest in God's loving arms...
Mrs. Robertson
June 17, 2015
My condolences to the families. May the God who gives peace be with the families and ease their pain in the days ahead.
The Carey Family
June 17, 2015
From Upstate N.Y. As parents ourselves, we can't begin to feel your loss. Our most heartfelt sympathy to the family's & friends of these young people. Our thoughts & prayers are with you all. May you find comfort in knowing others care & share your loss. Our world weeps with you. God Bless
June 17, 2015
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
June 17, 2015
MAY GOD BLESS FAMILIES & FRIENDS.
Nancy Cromwell
June 17, 2015
I am sorry to hear of the unexpected losses of these young ones. So sad and tragic indeed. May the God of all comfort (Psalms 83:18) be with the families at this difficult time. Please take care.
June 17, 2015
My condolences to all who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. May you treasure the memories of your loved ones. Be assured that the God of Comfort has them tucked away in his memory as well.
SJ, New Jersey
June 17, 2015
My prayers and thoughts go out to the families and friends of all involved.Please take comfort in knowing that the giver of life is capable of restoring life to those that have fallen asleep in death. Acts 17: 24,25
Corey Wilson Jacksonville FL
Dwayne Bickham,Sr.
June 17, 2015
In God's care rest in peace
Thomas Bush
June 17, 2015
my heart and condolences go out to the parents of those lost in this tragedy
Sheila
June 16, 2015
God bless all the victims.
Barbara Doheny
June 16, 2015
Sadness and prayers for the the families who lost a son or daughter in this tragic event.
John Duplechein, Jr.
June 16, 2015
Family in Ireland,
A terrible tragedy has befallen upon your hearts. May collective kind thoughts lift a bit of burden, to help get through the days ahead.
The Bay Area mourns for your loss.
Peace be with you.
The Wright's
June 16, 2015
We are so very sorry for all your losses. You all are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time.
P Roach
June 16, 2015
May the great memories of a shared life give you strength and the fact that they were living life to the fullest give you peace. With warm thoughts and sincere prayers, I hope the following days and months become easier.
Marc St. Martin
June 16, 2015
So young. My condolences.
The Vaughn Family
June 16, 2015
Take me back oh hills I love,
Lift me from this lonely bed
Light my way with stars above,
Curl soft winds about my head,
Wash my feet in crystal streams,
Cradle my arms in boughs of oak,
Breathe the scent of pine for dreams,
Wrap me tight in earthen cloak.
Carol Anton
June 16, 2015
So sad; cut down in the prime of their lives. Blessings to all families suffering from this tragic loss.
Ray Russ
June 16, 2015
I hope this is said close to correctly...
Tá mé chomh an-, an-brón orm a chloisteáil leis an nuacht brónach. Tá súil agam ach go dissapates do pian (aonair agus comhchoiteann) ina am iontach féin.
June 16, 2015
So very sorry for the families. Breaks my heart. Mary Jo Nanin
June 16, 2015
Our hearts and prayers are with you. Deepest sympathies to all.
June 16, 2015
Praying for the mother and fathers. Please God hold them in the Light - help them bear the unbearable. Please.
Jane Kilroy
June 16, 2015
Very sorry to all the families affected by this horrible tragedy. May you find peace and comfort in the days and months ahead. I know these messages will be of little solace, but please know that we are all thinking of you at this time and wishing you peace.
Mary Mc Sweeney
June 16, 2015
Solas na bhflaitheas a n-anamacha - peace and comfort to all the families and friends on this sad day.
Mary O'Connor
June 16, 2015
Sincere sympathy to all the families who have suffered terribly today.
June 16, 2015
Rest in Peace
Deborah
June 16, 2015
Heartfelt condolences to the families and friends of the young people lost in this horrific occurrence. May their earthly works continue to shine throughout this world and in the future. And may those who were injured heal in mind, body and soul.
Scott Chamberland
June 16, 2015
Please accept my Deepest Sympathies
Eileen
June 16, 2015
My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the young people lost today. May you find comfort.
Krish
June 16, 2015
Very sorry for the unfortunate loss of these young lives. May God give their families peace.
K Ferris
June 16, 2015
I wish the families of those who tragically killed find comfort in the God of peace
So Sorry
June 16, 2015
Peace be with you and yours. Such bright lights extinguished too fast. Am sorry for your loss .
June 16, 2015
My sincere thoughts and prayers go out to the parents and families of those lost - so sad.
Mr Casey
June 16, 2015
heartbreaking story sending Love to the families here and in Ireland
Mike Orme
June 16, 2015
My heart goes out to the family and friends who have to suffer through this terrible tragedy.
These Irish youth are some of the loveliest people I have ever met.
June 16, 2015
I am so sorry to hear of this tragic accident. My deepest sympathies to all the families involved. May the God who gives comfort help all of you to deal with this very sad situation. Romans 15:33.
Nell
June 16, 2015
My prayers for everyone involved in this tragic occurrence.
Lloyd Scott
June 16, 2015
My sincere condolences to all who perished in this tragedy. My prayers to the families.
Jim
June 16, 2015
Our prayers to all the families and friends involved in this horrible tragedy.
Kathleen Watanabe
June 16, 2015
My heart goes out to the families of these young adults who are gone way too soon. May they rest in peace.
Paul roche
June 16, 2015
Tragic news, my heart goes out to all the deceased, injured, their families and friends.
Debra
June 16, 2015
My most sincere condolences to the families who lost their loves ones. What a terrible tragedy.
George Chikovani
June 16, 2015
My heart is filled with sadness at this tragic news. When I studied at Berkeley, my fraternity often had boarders from Ireland in the summer months, and they were lovely, lively folks who added a great spirit to the place. I hope that the Berkeley community provides whatever solace and succor it can to the loved ones of those affected.
Jessea Greenman
June 16, 2015
We are so very sad for the loss of these fine young people.
Sarah
June 16, 2015
Very sorry for your loss.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a n-anamnacha.
Maria
June 16, 2015
Deepest sympathies to the families who've lost a child in this tragedy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
Ms. Zimmerman
June 16, 2015
Heartfelt sympathy to the families who lost loved ones.
Siobhan Noble
June 16, 2015
Peace to those who have left us; healing for those left behind. I am heartbroken.
Katherine O'Meara
June 16, 2015
So saddened to hear of the loss of these young lives. Deepest sympathies to friends and families.
Ultan O'B
June 16, 2015
Condolences. How frightening for all concerned, and worrisome for parents and friends afar. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
myles murphy
June 16, 2015
so sorry for all your children
Was a J1 student once myself
God Rest their Souls
Mike McP
June 16, 2015
I am very sorry to hear about this tragic event and wish the family members and friends strength during this sad time. May God bless each and every one affected by this.
Bruce Africa
June 16, 2015
As a descendant of the O'Neil, here in America, I weep for the parents, siblings, and friends of these wonderful young people. They came to visit one of the finest places on Earth. Such tragedy can never be undone for those personally involved.
Don W
June 16, 2015
Condolences to the friends and family.
Don W
June 16, 2015
Condolences to those who lost their lives. May you Rest In Peace.
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