Three critically injured, others hurt after roof collapse at Amelia County church site

AMELIA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Three people were critically injured and others were hurt when a roof collapsed in Amelia County on Wednesday, with the site appearing to be that of a local church that’s trying to rebuild.

The collapse occurred the evening of Wednesday, Aug. 14 at what appears to be a construction site, according to photos shared by the Amelia Emergency Squad, Inc. (AES) on Facebook on Aug. 15.

Multiple units, including the AES as well as crews with the Amelia County Fire Department and the Amelia County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene.

“In total, AES transported three critical trauma patients (red category) and other non-trauma patients,” the squad said in its Facebook post.

These patients were critical as of Aug. 15. Their current condition, as well as the condition of any other injured persons, is not known at this time.

The Amelia County Sheriff’s Office told 8News that the location for this collapse was 11141 Winterham Rd., which is the address of Promise Land Baptist Church. Church leadership recently held a groundbreaking to rebuild the church in July after a December 2023 fire destroyed the previous structure.

The sheriff’s office could not comment further, saying that this investigation was not criminal. According to the office, the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry is investigating the collapse. Amelia officials provided 8News with the following statement they reportedly obtained from that department:

“The Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) program opened an investigation on August 15, 2024. We are unable to comment further at this time due to the active investigation.”

Stephen Clausing, Spokesperson for Virginia Department of Labor and Industry

No additional information, such as what caused the collapse or the current condition of those involved, has been shared by officials as of the time of reporting.

This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.

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