Ventilation system collapses at Colorado resort pool, injuring 6

Published May 08, 2023

Six people were hurt — two critically — when part of a heating and ventilation system collapsed at a resort pool in Colorado on Saturday, fire officials said.

There were 50 to 100 guests in the pool when the collapse occurred about 9:50 a.m. at the Gaylord Rockies resort near Denver International Airport, Aurora Fire Rescue said.

Large metal ductwork and mechanical parts that were mounted on the ceiling crashed down upon the pool deck and into the water, covering nearly the entire area of the pool, agency spokeswoman Sherri-Jo Stowell said.

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The victims suffered injuries that ranged from penetrating wounds and cuts to "injuries consistent with being crushed," she said. She declined to release ages of the victims, citing department policy.

Fire Chief Alec Oughton said crews were already at the resort, running up and down its stairs for physical training, when the collapse happened.

Firetrucks park outside Gaylord Rockies resort on May 6, 2023, in Aurora, Colorado. Six people were hurt when part of a heating and ventilation system collapsed at a resort pool in Colorado on Saturday. (Aurora Fire Rescue via AP)

An operator who answered the phone at the resort hung up on a reporter who called seeking comment.

The resort will be conducting an investigation into the cause of the collapse and will be responsible for keeping guests out of the pool area, Oughton said.

The resort and convention center has more than 1,000 rooms, a water park and meeting spaces.

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Aurora officials said they expect a thorough investigation and thanked first responders.

"Our hearts go out to all those who were injured today, to their families and to those traumatized by witnessing what occurred," city spokesman Ryan S. Luby said in a statement.

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