Berkeley balcony collapse: ‘Everyone’s just shocked, it’s horrible’

As dawn broke in California, the San Francisco bay area woke up to news of the horrific events that had unfolded in the student city of Berkeley shortly before 1am California time.

By then the residents of Library Gardens were all too familiar with what had happened — the celebration of a 21st birthday turned to tragedy as a fourth-floor balcony collapsed, sending a dozen people to the pavement below.

Four young Irish students were pronounced dead at the scene, a further two passed away in hospital, and now families on the other side of the Atlantic are agonisingly waiting to see what fate befalls the seven others injured in the collapse.

Other Irish students staying in the complex spoke of their shock in the aftermath of the tragedy.

RELATED STORY: Updates: Six Irish victims of Berkeley balcony collapse named.

“Everyone’s just pretty shocked and our thoughts are with all the families back home really. It’s just a tragedy, it’s horrible,” said Dan Sullivan.

Mark Neville relayed what he had witnessed to reporters at the scene.

“We came out at midnight and I saw all the rubble on the ground and Irish people just crying tears. I’d also like to send my condolences to everyone back home.”

Mr Neville told San Francisco-based network KRON4 that parents at home in Ireland were in panic as the sought to make contact with their children at home.

“Everyone back home is just in shock,” he said.

“My dad said it was the worst hour and a half of his life waiting for the call back saying I was safe.”

Jerry Robinson, a local resident, described the scene to ABC7 news reporters. He said he brought two distressed students to visit the hospital.

“Two desperate students waved me down and I took them to Highland hospital,” he said.

“They were friends of the people who were on the balcony. A couple of the women did not have shoes, one of the women had blood on her knees, they’re all, like I say, from Ireland, and very young and they all knew each other,” Mr Robinson said.

James Mullaney from Laois, who is staying in the complex, described the tragedy as “scary” on Twitter.

“5 killed in our apartment here in Berkeley. Really puts life into perspective,” he wrote.

RELATED STORY: Updates: Six Irish victims of Berkeley balcony collapse named.