Eastern Cherokees report new collapse at casino parking garage

Friday, April 15, 2016

A view of the Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort in Cherokee, North Carolina. Photo from Facebook

>
The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is conducting a safety assessment after a ramp at the North Carolina tribe's flagship casino collapsed on Friday morning.

A component failed on the ramp leading from the first floor to the second floor, the Harrah's Cherokee Casino Resort said on Facebook. No injuries have been reported.

"The safety of our employees and guests is our primary concern," the casino said.

A little over a year ago, a parking deck at the casino collapsed. The tribe is now suing several construction companies in federal court.

According to the amended complaint, the companies breached their duties by using "substandard or improper materials and failing to otherwise construct the parking deck in accordance with the contract requirements, the applicable plans and specifications, industry standards, applicable buildings codes, and good construction practices and in a manner that would result in a sound, structurally sufficient final product."

The tribe is seeking at least $4 million in damages from the companies.

Get the Story:
Parking garage ramp collapses at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino (WSPA 4/15)
Portion of Harrah's casino parking garage ramp collapses (WSOC 4/15)
Part of Cherokee casino parking deck collapses (The Asheville Citizen-Times 4/15) Related Stories:
Eastern Cherokees vow investigation of incident at casino show (4/14)
Eastern Band seeks $4M for collapse of casino parking lot deck (02/15)