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'Yelling and screaming' as balcony collapsed

A neighbour who saw a balcony collapse at a Lancelin holiday house yesterday says he heard "yelling and screaming" as five people fell about 3m.

It is understood that about 10 people - believed to be Italian tourists - had been standing on the timber balcony of the Hawcroft Place rental home taking photographs when the balcony collapsed about 1.50pm.

Five people were injured and taken to Royal Perth and Sir Charles Gairdner hospitals or Joondalup Health Campus.

Neighbour Pio Donato rushed to the property after hearing a loud bang. "I went across and saw five or six people lying on the ground," he said. "There was a bit of yelling and screaming."

He said the occupants were an Italian family who had been renting the house for the weekend.

Neighbour Pio Donato with the broken balcony. Five people hurt the collapse are believed to be Italian tourists. Picture: Sharon Smith/The West Australian


Mr Donato said he offered to help the injured while they waited for emergency services.

None is believed to have life-threatening injuries but it is understood at least one person has possible spinal injuries and another has fractures.

Gingin Shire president Michael Aspinall said the council would investigate the incident.

The collapsed balcony in Lancelin. Picture: Sharon Smith/The West Australian