At around 8:15pm on June 25 approximately 30 people made their way on to the Sydenham’s balcony to cut cake and sing happy birthday to their son’s girlfriend Chloe.

As Chloe prepared to make a speech the balcony crashed three metres to the ground below. 

“Chloe went to make a speech and we just all came crashing down,” Julie Sydneham said.

“We had all just come up onto the deck and were just standing around the table waiting to hear from Chloe. We weren’t dancing or anything. 

“There were absolutely no warning signs that it was going to happen, not even a crack.”

In what can only be described as a freak accident, Mrs Sydenham is thankful no one was underneath the balcony when it came down. 

“I burst into tears every time I look at it. I keep thanking the universe that no one was under it,” Mrs Sydneham said.

“The first thing everyone did was to check and see that everyone else was okay. 

“Chloe’s friends were excellent. They clipped into help mode, called the ambulance and really looked after each other.

“The emergency crew were really on the ball and the ambulance workers were great.” 

Five people were taken to hospital, one with a broken foot. All were released later in the night.