Human Error Caused Floor Collapse

A miscalculation by a structural engineer caused the collapse of a floor during a July 13 show at a student events centre at Canterbury University.

The centre opened in April as a NZ$2.5 million (US$2.01 million) temporary venue after the original centre was damaged during the February 2011 earthquakes.

An independent investigation commissioned by the University found the engineer whose firm helped design the centre did not calculate a dynamic load for the floor, which gave way when 900 students jumped to hip-hop act Savage.

No one was injured, but students shoved each other while heading for exits. The centre will reopen in the first week of September.