Three injured as cricket stand collapses during international match

Three spectators have been injured after the partial collapse of a temporary stand at the Twenty20 international between England and the West Indies at the Emirates Riverside in Chester-le-Street.

The incident took place in the north-east corner of the ground shortly before 9.30pm, while England were batting. Photographs appeared to indicate that a section of the floor in the temporary stand had caved in, and there were reports that a female spectator was injured after falling through the hole in the floor.

An ambulance was seen arriving at the back of the stand shortly after the incident. The entire section was evacuated and sealed off by stewards as a precautionary measure, the Telegraph reported.

Around 200 spectators who were sitting in that section were moved to empty seats in other parts of the ground.

In a statement, Durham County Cricket Club said: "During the course of the second innings between England v West Indies at Emirates Riverside, three spectators were injured when a small section of the North-East Terrace flooring became unstable causing them to fall.

"Stewards took precautionary action and evacuated that area of the stand efficiently. The stand is a permanent fixture at the venue and had passed inspections in the week prior to the match."

The Emirates Riverside has hosted 26 international games since opening in 1995, during which temporary stands have been a regular fixture. The venue was recently barred from hosting Test cricket by the England and Wales Cricket Board after Durham encountered financial difficulties and were forced to accept a bailout to remain in business.

On the field, England were bowled out for 155 to lose the one-off match by 21 runs.