Mississippi Church Floor Collapses, Injuring 35

The second floor of an activity center at a rural Mississippi church collapsed during an evening youth service last night, sending about 70 people crashing down and injuring 35 of them. Witnesses described an ominous-sounding rumble before the floor failed, with victims dropping about 12 feet. "But it's got to be said that no one was seriously injured, no one was trapped. God's hand was certainly taking care of the kids who were in that building," Pastor Tommy Davis at Freedom Baptist Church in Myrick told the Chronicle in Laurel.

Students said the collapse came unexpectedly while the service was under way. "We heard a huge rumble and the floor collapsed and people collapsed with it," said Tori Hodge, 18. "Everbody heard it. The floor started crumbling and waving. People started falling through the ceiling, just like you'd see in a movie." There was no immediate report on what caused the floor collapse. Authorities said most of those hurt were later released and witnesses described injuries including scrapes, cuts, and possibly some broken bones; one girl suffered a head injury. (More collapse stories.)