Fire Escape Collapses Alton, IL

Emily Green of Belleville, sister of Tyler Green, 22, who was seriously injured in the fall, posted on the GoFundMe crowdsourcing website that her brother “landed on his head, suffering severe head trauma and multiple skull and facial fractures.”

She is trying to to raise $25,000 for his medical expenses. As of late Wednesday afternoon, 58 people had donated $3,665 within one day. The funding page can be found at www.gofundme.com/tylergreen?ssid=744687579&pos=1

“He is currently in a medically induced coma in the ICU, with an unclear future ahead,” she wrote. She said Tyler Green hopes to be a professional singer.

After the fall, Green was taken by ambulance to OSF Saint Anthony’s Hospital Emergency Department. An ARCH Air Medical Ambulance helicopter then flew him to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis.

Emily Green’s posting says her brother graduated from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville last spring with a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance.

“Tyler has always been a leader in our family, even through the death of our dad in 2012, he was a rock for my Mom and me,” she wrote. “He was, and hopefully will continue, to be a leader and a shining star in countless peoples’ lives. Although everyone’s thoughts and prayers have been a tremendous blessing to me and my family, Tyler still needs your financial support in his fight to pull through this extremely difficult time.

“My brother has changed so many lives in his 22 years with us, and we all plan for him to continue that for many years to come. Please help me bring our shining star back into the spotlight where he belongs, so he can keep performing and making us proud. I don’t know what I would do without my big brother guiding me in everything I do.”

The female victim, Nora Vallandares, whose second-floor apartment the men were visiting above Olive Oil Marketplace at 108 W. Third St., said Wednesday that she was returning to Barnes-Jewish Hospital for further treatment.

“My arms were broken, my leg’s busted and I have nerve damage,” she said.

Three days after the accident, which took place at about 11 p.m. Sunday, she told a Telegraph reporter that she wanted to clarify what happened and correct information officials provided to the media Monday.

She said she was showing her apartment to two male friends when they stepped out onto the heavy-gauge aluminum platform at the rear. The fire escape collapsed and fell about 20 feet to the ground within seconds.

Valladares said the trio were not hanging out on the platform.

Alton Fire Chief Bernie Sebold said the platform was about 3 by 3 feet and affixed to the rear of the brick building with four bolts.

After the fall, Valladares said she crawled to nearby Bossanova Martini Lounge and Restaurant, 112 W. Third St., where she had worked previously, to summon help. Someone at Bossanova called 911. A former co-worker drove Valladares to OSF Saint Anthony’s Hospital Emergency Department. An official has previously said she had driven herself to the hospital.

An ARCH Air Medical Services helicopter later flew Valladares to the Barnes-Jewish trauma center.

On the advice of her attorney, Valladares declined further comment.

LifeStar Ambulance Service, which took Green to the hospital, also took the second injured man to OSF Saint Anthony’s. His identity and condition were not available Wednesday.

Russ Smith, the building’s owner, said Monday that the platform was relatively new. “A new fire escape platform was put in not more than four years ago,” he said.

Reach Linda N. Weller at 618-208-6450 or on Twitter @Linda_Weller