THREE people have been injured, one seriously, after a hole appeared in the stands at the T20 cricket match between England and the West Indies in Durham.
Pictures on social media showed part of the floor had collapsed as fans watched the international game at the Emirates Riverside ground in Chester-le-Street.
Fans described having to grab nearby seats to stop themselves falling through a hole that opened up.
The North East Ambulance service responded to a 999 call from the ground and took one of the three injured fans to the RVI Hospital in Newcastle.
A spokesman for the hospital has confirmed the individual was still being
treated on Sunday morning for "non life-threatening injuries".
Spectators from the entire block were ushered away from the area and guided to other parts of the ground.
Photograph by cricket fan Christian Ceriso of the evacuated area of the North-East Terrace
Stewards were seen standing around a square-shaped hole, as other stewards and police evacuated spectators from the affected area.
Durham County Cricket Club has confirmed three spectators were injured during the course of the England innings after flooring gave way.
The club has begun the process of collecting witness statements from stewards and first responders, but have yet to comment publicly.
A steward standing over a hole that appeared in the stands during the NatWest T20 match at the Emirates Riverside, Durham Picture: @ChristianCeriso/PA Wire
A club spokesman said: "During the course of the second innings between England v West Indies at Emirates Riverside, three spectators were injured when a small section of the North-East Terrace flooring became unstable causing them to fall.
"Stewards took precautionary action and evacuated that area of the stand efficiently.
"The stand is a permanent fixture at the venue and had passed inspections in the week prior to the match."
Commentators said they believed the incident would trigger an internal safety review at the ground.
Windies captain Carlos Brathwaite said after the match that some of his
players felt conditions on the pitch were "unsafe" and was prepared to
take an abandonment after wicketkeeper Chadwick Walton slipped while
fielding, needing lengthy treatment.
The West Indies ended up sealing a 21-run win as England's innings subsided for 155.
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