UPDATED: 10.54PM 

Fourteen people have so far been treated at Dunedin Hospital, after a balcony collapsed in Dunedin during a concert by the band Six60.

MORE: Video footage of the scene in Dunedin's Castle Street 

Two people have serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

Police said there are still “walking wounded” at the scene after the incident this evening.

They said up to 1500 people were packed into a courtyard where Six60 was playing when the incident happened before 8pm.

Students packed balconies as the band played at 598 Castle St. 

Police and Campus Watch were trying to clear people from rooves of houses, and reduce the number of people on balconies, when one of the balconies collapsed throwing people to the ground around three metres below.

Collapsed decking landed on people in the courtyard area.

Witnesses say around 20 people were on the balcony at the time.

The band continued playing after the collapse, and people remained on adjoining balconies.

A St John ambulance spokesman said four ambulances and a rapid response were sent to the scene.

“There are a number of patients with various injuries. We are mobilising other resources to assist.”

Eight people were taken to Dunedin Hospital by ambulance with a range of multiple serious injuries.

Six other patients were taken to hospital with minor to moderate injuries.

One female has a fractured spleen.

 

Scenes after the Dunedin balcony collapsed (Tom Olorenshaw/Facebook).

 

A fifth year student who was at the concert described the moment the balcony came down.

“There was probably 15-20 people up there on the balcony. They were just having a good time  and all of a sudden it collapsed,” he said.

“It landed on about 10 to 12 people.”

The student said he looked on in horror as the balcony came down.

“It  was like a big crack and then everyone winced ... when you see something like that ... It’s one of those things that you never want to see.”

He said the crowd’s actions in the aftermath of the collapse were admirable.

“The students were helping the ambulance staff. There were a couple of cars in the way and 15-20 guys just lifted the cars, moved them out of the way so the ambulance could get in,” he said.

“It was horrific ... there were unconscious people under the balcony ... I saw limbs underneath. But out of respect to them I won’t say anymore. It is not something you want to be picturing.”

After the balcony came down the band kept playing.

“It happened on the far left [of where they were playing],” he said.

“They didn’t realise. As soon as they did realise they cut the music and everyone was out of there.”

 

(Tom Olorenshaw/Facebook).

 

Jessica Douglas-Withers, a medical student at Otago University, said suddenly there was a big creak.

Everyone turned around and watched the balcony fall off the side of the building, she said.

As she left she saw three injured people lying on the ground.

She said afterwards the message coming from those at the front of the group was that everyone was okay.

An eyewitness told the Herald that he saw people leaving the address bleeding from the head and feet.

“We were there earlier and it was all pretty good, people were having a good time,” he said.

“I looked at the balconies and I thought to myself ‘if they fill up too much they might collapse as a consequence.”

No commotion could be heard from the stage, and it was only later the band realised what had happened.

A neighbour of the house where the balcony collapsed said there were too many people jumping on the structure – which was bolted to the house with no support beneath.

“I heard a giant crash. I looked out and people were on the ground. Legs were broken. There was shock and hysteria – a lot of people were drunk.

“People were walking down the street covered in blood. There were big manly guys in tears. We were trying to comfort people and give them water – everyone was in shock”

Despite the collapse, people on other balconies at identical units continued jumping, while others remained beneath the structures. She said more people flocked to the party, to see what the commotion was about.

It was part of the mentality among students in Dunedin, she said – when something happened, everyone flocked to check it out.

“Fire crews had to come in and ask them to move.”

She said there weren’t many people on the balcony at the time, but they were not strong.

 

(Tom Olorenshaw/Facebook)

Witness Rebecca Mercer said some people continued to party afterwards.

“Police tried to break down a fence to make way for emergency services.”

Six60 released a statement via Twitter which said: "Very upset that people were hurt tonight. Massive thanks to the local police and security who were working with us to help keep people safe."

Otago University Students' Association president Laura Harris says the association is saddened by the news of the balcony collapse at the private concert.

She says its focus is on supporting any students who have been affected.

They're urging anyone who needs support to get in touch.

One lane is closed on Cumberland St, with emergency services gathering by the Dundas Corner Dairy.

WorkSafe will be investigating.