BROWNSVILLE — Several people were injured yesterday morning after the starting line structure at a Brownsville running event collapsed.
They were transported to local hospitals, officials said, and the rest of the race proceeded without incident.
Runners at the Bi-National 10K & 5K Run, which started on the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley campus, said the metal structure fell as the race was about to begin.
Participant L. Martinez said she arrived at the race site early and noticed that the wind continued to strengthen leading up to the 8:30 a.m. start time. She said the metal scaffold was outfitted with a “start” banner facing the runners and that it fell onto the crowd without warning.
She said the toppled right-side scaffold fell on top of her, knocking her unconscious for a few seconds, and that other runners tried to lift it off her.
“I was in so much pain, I just wanted to close my eyes,” L. Martinez said, adding that a nurse who was in the race kept her alert while a man used her phone to contact her family members.
While she has pain to her head, neck and back, L. Martinez said a doctor told her she will be able to return to work Wednesday. She added that some people who were struck by the scaffold declined to go to the hospital.
“With respect for the privacy of the individuals involved, in addition to the ongoing investigation, no further information will be released at this time,” Interim City Manager Michael Lopez said in a statement.
Mayor Tony Martinez said yesterday afternoon that three people had been released from the hospital, and two others were in stable condition but under observation.
“We want to make sure nothing like this happens (again),” he said, adding the decision to continue the race was made once first responders began treating the injured.
Tony Martinez said the aim of the race was to spotlight the relationship between Brownsville and Matamoros. He was glad to see some of the U.S. runners enjoying their visit to Matamoros after not visiting Brownsville’s sister city in years.
“I think the cumulative wisdom was that with all the things going on with this administration in Washington and Mexico … a lot of things don’t seem to be very neighborly,” Tony Martinez said. “Even though we’re two communities, we really are one, and we’re going to show you how it’s done.”
Proceeds from the race will benefit the TeletonUSA Foundation, a San Antonio-based nonprofit that supports a rehabilitation institute for children with neurological and musculoskeletal disorders.
Participants in the bi-national run started at the university and made their way through downtown Brownsville. They either stopped at Gateway International Bridge or continued to Matamoros.
Onlookers cheered, and a marching band played as runners made their way over the bridge.
Pricilla Torres, 21, said she traveled from Weslaco for the run.
“I thought it was a good cause,” she said of TeletonUSA. “They do a lot for the kids.”
Fernando Gomez, 42, attended the run with his 10-year-old nephew, Alan Ibarra. They said wind appeared to knock down the starting line structure.
“Luckily we weren’t part of it,” Gomez said. “I feel for the people who were. It’s something unexpected.”
Ibarra said he was inspired to run the 5K portion because of his mother, who is a regular race participant, and Gomez said he was drawn to support the race’s cause.
“I like to be involved in this kind of event,” Gomez said. “They’re good for the community.”
