An intense storm struck a wedding reception in central Queensland’s Banana Shire over the weekend, forcing guests to seek shelter under tables as the roof of the historic hall was torn away. The incident occurred on March 16, 2024, at a venue in Camboon, near Theodore, leaving approximately 100 guests in a state of panic and confusion.
Jordan Baxter, a guest at the wedding, described the chaotic scene, stating, “Some of the other boys were trying to board up the windows. Tables were getting shot like ping-pong balls. Next thing we know, the roof is just gone.” Baxter, along with other attendees, fought to hold up the walls of the venue while children took refuge beneath tables.
Caitlin Nix, Baxter’s partner, sheltered under a table with their young daughters before they were able to move to a cooler area. She recounted how the weather changed dramatically, saying, “In a matter of minutes, it went from drizzly to bucketing down, painful rain.” As the storm intensified, power outages occurred, and the structure ultimately succumbed to the force of the winds and rain.
Another guest, Bree Bulger, managed to escape early in her car, describing it as “the worst storm I’ve seen in years.” She reported that fallen trees obstructed the roads, necessitating efforts to clear them for emergency services.
The aftermath revealed significant destruction, with Allan Murray, president of the Camboon Campdraft committee, noting that the hall had been “completely demolished.” He stated, “Numerous caravans have been written off,” highlighting the extent of the damage.
Fortunately, most guests emerged uninjured from the ordeal. A spokesperson for the Queensland Fire Department confirmed that a woman in her 20s was transported to Moura Hospital with a foot injury following the collapse of the shed. “It is believed approximately 100 people were inside the building at the time of the collapse; however, the vast majority were uninjured,” the spokesperson reported.
The storm not only impacted Camboon but also affected other regions in Queensland. Parts of south-east Queensland experienced hailstones measuring up to nine centimeters in diameter. A woman in her 30s from the Esk region was taken to the hospital in stable condition due to head and neck injuries, while eight others were assessed for hail-related injuries across the state.
Residents of Queensland are still recovering from the severe weather, with the weather bureau warning of potential further storms in the coming days. As communities come together to assist those affected, the resilience displayed during this harrowing experience stands out, as does the immediate response of emergency services.
