Saturday, May 2, 2009

Report: Cowboys' staffers hurt in storm

IRVING, Texas, May 2 (UPI) -- A dozen people were hurt Saturday when an intense storm collapsed a domed practice bubble at the Dallas Cowboys training facility in Texas, team officials said.

At least two and perhaps three of the victims were in serious condition but Dr. Paul Pepe, head of emergency medical services for Dallas County, said there did not appear to be any life-threatening injuries, The Dallas Morning News reported.

The storm hit on the second day of a rookie minicamp at the team facility in Irving. No players were injured, the newspaper said.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported secondary coach Brett Maxie suffered a leg laceration and special teams coach Joe DeCamillis was taken to the hospital on a stretcher after he was initially spotted walking around and appeared to be OK.

The newspaper said team scout Chris Hall was one of the front-office members trapped underneath the frame, but he was speaking clearly. The names of the others injured weren't available.

Media members were asked to clear out about 15 minutes after the facility collapsed and the four staffers also were hospitalized.

The storm, carrying 60 mph winds, hit about 3:30 p.m. CDT, toppling the air-supported roof of the eight-story facility, the Morning News said.

TV cameraman Paul Riggs said he looked up and saw the roof collapsing.

"I sprinted harder than I have in decades," he said, adding he ducked under a raised platform with several offensive linemen. "It fell around us. Then it was pure chaos."

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