The community building in Cherry Creek on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation in South Dakota collapsed after a severe storm moved in. Photo by Randy Aglahan via Facebook

Several members of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota suffered injuries after a community building collapsed on Wednesday, trapping about 40 people inside.

The collapse was caused by a severe storm that hit the Cherry Creek community at about 4:30pm. Local residents, police officers and health workers ensured that everyone was rescued from the building, where the tribal council was holding its May meeting.

"I want to commend the rapid response from the individual community members in Cherry Creek who risked their lives to assist those who were caught inside the building," Chairman Harold Frazier, who was among those who helped people get to safety, said in a press release. "Those men and women went above and beyond to help."

Four people suffered serious injuries and were transported to the Indian Health Service hospital in Eagle Butte. There were also some minor injuries.

"I would like to say thank you to Chairman Frazier, tribal councilmen and tribal councilwomen who where there consoling, helping lifting beams and other things off the injured," said council member Merrie Miller-White Bull, who added on Facebook that she was in a "dazed and confused" state after the collapse. "I would like to thank the community members who came and helped."

Several other structures also suffered damage or were destroyed during the storm. No council members suffered any injuries.

"At this time, my thoughts and prayers are with those who were affected by this dangerous and devastating event," Frazier said.

Get the Story:
Roof collapses on Cherry Creek building, 4 injured (The Sioux Falls Argus Leader 5/7)
Building collapses on Cheyenne River tribal meeting (KSFY 5/7)