Ten hurt as family meal ends in balcony collapse Emergency crews at the Lane Cove home. THIS timber balcony collapsed in the middle of a family dinner injuring ten people in Sydney's north last night with one woman expected to have surgery today. The group fell seven metres from the third floor when the five-by-six metre structure gave way at a duplex on Pacific Hwy, Lane Cove about 10.15pm. Emergency services described the scene as "chaotic" with "patients scattered across the ground," according to NSW Ambulance Service spokesman Inspector Darren Hoschke. This balcony collapsed at Lane Cove home. A 31-year-old woman, who was visiting the home, suffered a fractured leg and injuries to her pelvis and spine. Four other people endured serious injuries to their ribs, wrists, ankles and necks and another five had minor cuts and bruises. NSW police Inspector Jeff Bell said the victims were aged between 20 and 30. "It was a family dinner and they had just finished and gotten up when it gave way," he said. One of the patients told me it was a big shock to them, one minute they had a lovely evening and a nice dinner and all of a sudden they're struggling on the ground (having) fallen five metres, so it was a big shock to them. An engaged couple are believed to have been amongst the people injured. Inspector Jeff Bell said the 31-year-old woman will have surgery today after falling further than most of the other victims. "Because the balcony was detached from the house it became vertical and they slid off," he said. Some went onto the first floor balcony below them, others landed on the garage. That's what happened to the woman having surgery today. The patients down the bottom where in the worse condition. They were the people who needed neck braces. The balcony came to rest wedged on the roof of a car and a concrete stairwell. The structure sliced through the stairwell's handrail. Neighbour Peter Smith, 30, was one of the first people to rush onto the street after hearing "a huge crash." (It) sounded like a huge glass panel breaking and lots of noise and a bit of screaming and I came running out. I've never heard anything like it. All ten patients were rushed to Royal North Shore Hospital for treatment. Neighbour Peter Smith speaks about the collapsed balcony. "Six ambulances were called, with one medical retrieval unit and one helicopter sent," NSW Ambulance Service spokesman Inspector Darren Hoschke said. Emergency services setup stabilising ropes and used a hand saw to cut off several beams to secure the site. Engineers are expected on the scene at daybreak to assess the damage.