Roof panel falls on fans during French Open quarter-final
Friday 5 June 2015 08:24, UK
Spectators at the French Open had a lucky escape after part of the the roof of the Chatrier Court fell on to the crowd on Tuesday.
A long rectangular side panel fell from a commentary box terrace on to the crowd, forcing the evacuation of two rows of seats at the upper end of Court Philippe Chatrier.
Play was suspended for 15 minutes and organisers said they needed '10 more minutes' to make the area safe before the quarter-final between France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Kei Nishikori of Japan resumed.
One spectator was led out of the stadium by medics holding the man's right wrist, but he did not appear seriously hurt as he departed smiling and waving to the crowd.
Strong winds have been blowing in Paris all day.
A Roland Garros statement read: "A sheet of metal fell from the scoreboard on to members of the public, three of whom sustained minor injuries.
"The area was secured and the match will recommence shortly. Spectators are taking their places in the stands."
Tournament director Gilbert Ysern said control officers would be carrying out stringent checks on Wednesday to make sure structures are secure.
"I have been working more or less at this tournament directly or indirectly, but over the past 30 years we have had no such accidents as this one," Ysern said.
"You can't take this light-heartedly, so we are conducting investigations as we speak. We are going to see what's happened."
