On New Year’s Eve, a celebration at the In the Game arcade in Peabody, Massachusetts was marred by an incident where a Lego display holding balloons for a drop collapsed onto a crowd. The Peabody Police Department confirmed that multiple people were injured as a result. The arcade was hosting a “Noon Year’s Eve celebration” at the time. Fire Chief John Dowling stated that they received a call about a partial ceiling collapse, but it was actually the 12-foot-tall Lego display that fell over onto the attendees during the failed balloon drop. It was determined that someone had pulled too hard on the display, causing it to collapse.
Ten individuals sustained minor injuries as a result of the incident, with eight of them being transported to the hospital for treatment. The injuries mostly consisted of cuts and scrapes, with three adults and five children requiring medical attention. Witness Lawren Turco described the scene as “pure chaos,” with large Lego pieces scattered everywhere, children crying, and people using ice packs on their heads. The arcade was briefly closed after the incident but later reopened. The authorities are currently assessing the situation and working with the arcade to investigate the cause of the collapse.
The incident at the In the Game arcade in Peabody left attendees shaken and in need of medical attention due to injuries sustained from the collapsing Lego display during a New Year’s Eve celebration. The balloons that were supposed to be released from the display caused a chaos of debris and injuries as it collapsed onto the crowd. Witness accounts described a scene of confusion and panic as people scrambled to safety and sought medical assistance. The arcade was temporarily closed following the incident to ensure the safety of patrons before reopening after a brief assessment by authorities.
In the aftermath of the incident, it was revealed that ten individuals were injured, with eight of them being taken to the hospital for treatment. Among those injured were both adults and children who suffered cuts and scrapes as a result of the collapse. The cause of the incident was determined to be someone pulling too hard on the Lego display, causing it to fall over on the unsuspecting crowd. The arcade spokesperson emphasized that they are cooperating with authorities to investigate the incident and ensure the safety of their patrons moving forward.
The incident at the In the Game arcade serves as a reminder of the potential dangers associated with large-scale events and displays, especially involving structures that may not be properly secured. The chaos that ensued during the celebration highlighted the importance of proper supervision and maintenance of such displays to prevent accidents and injuries. Moving forward, the arcade and other similar establishments may need to reassess their safety protocols and procedures to avoid similar incidents in the future. This incident also underscores the importance of prompt medical attention and response in such emergencies to ensure the well-being of those affected.
Although the New Year’s Eve celebration at the In the Game arcade ended in tragedy for some attendees, the resilience and cooperation displayed by both the authorities and the arcade staff in responding to the incident are commendable. The quick response in providing medical treatment to those injured and working to assess the situation and prevent further harm demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of patrons. As investigations into the cause of the collapse continue, lessons learned from this incident can help improve safety measures and protocols at similar events in the future. By addressing the underlying issues that led to the incident, steps can be taken to prevent similar accidents from occurring and ensure a safe environment for all participants at future celebrations.
