At least 6 injured as bleacher railing collapses at Waggener High School

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- At least six students and players were injured when a bleacher railing collapsed during a sporting event at a Louisville high school Thursday night.

According to St. Matthews Police Chief Barry Wilkerson, the collapse happened after multiple students were leaning on the railing, celebrating the end of the soccer game where St. Xavier won 1-0 over Trinity in a regional soccer semifinal at the Waggener High School stadium.

Wilkerson said there might be more injuries, as parents could have transported the students themselves.

A Jefferson County Public Schools spokesperson said the district didn't know the extent of injuries.

St. Xavier issued a statement Friday morning that said several of the school's students were injured in the collapse as they celebrated their victory near the student section.

"Thankfully, none of the injuries were life-threatening, and all affected students are recovering," Chris Tinius, executive director of Athletics at St. Xavier, said in the statement. "We are grateful for the swift response from those on site and ask for the continued prayers and support for our St. Xavier community. The school is fully cooperating with the Kentucky High School Athletic Association as they investigate the incident."

Renovations at Waggener's stadium were just finished last month, including the new bleachers. The upgrades were part of a multimillion-dollar project at several JCPS schools, announced by the district back in 2023.

JCPS said the bleachers were inspected in September by Louisville Metro Codes and Regulations, and were found to be in compliance.

In a statement Friday, the department said the railings were "constructed to meet the 200-pound lateral load standard mandated by the Kentucky Building Code, and all plans received were stamped by a licensed engineer and approved by our office."

"The department and its inspectors thoroughly reviewed all submitted plans and completed every required inspection, including the final one," the statement continued.

JCPS is now working on a timeline for the repair of the railing, and had a structural engineer look at the damage Friday.

A spokesperson for the district said crews also checked out all of the newly-installed bleachers, and said JCPS athletic directors also "regularly inspect" facilities, including bleachers.

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