Concrete failure suspected in collapse of walkway

BRANSON, Mo. -- Concrete failure was suspected in the collapse of a 25-foot section of walkway at Silver Dollar City theme park that injured 21 people.

Structural engineers were trying to determine Tuesday whether a slight dip in the center of the walkway may have resulted in the collapse.

"We would assume that possibly there may have been a weaker area in the middle due to a fractional dip," said Lisa Rau, spokeswoman for the popular Branson theme park.

The accident happened Monday afternoon as about 50 people waited on the 40-foot walkway to ride the Lost River of the Ozarks. The walkway was suspended about 2 1/2 feet above the ride's waterway. Patrons ride a tube down the waterway that is about 4 1/2 feet deep.

The concrete walkway was built in the late 1970s, Rau said. The ride opened in 1984.

One woman remained hospitalized Tuesday at a Little Rock, Ark., hospital after undergoing leg surgery. She was taken there by helicopter at her request. The others were treated and released at a Branson hospital. Most suffered minor scrapes, cuts and bruises.

Park crews inspect the rides and walkways daily, Rau said. No problems had been noted before the accident, she said.

Meanwhile, the State Fire Marshal's Office said Tuesday that neither the amusement ride nor its operation contributed to the accident.

The ride, however, was still closed Tuesday.