THE new term at the University College for the Creative Arts in Farnham literally began with a bang on Sunday night when 10 students were injured after a nine-foot high walkway bridge collapsed. The walkway, linking the porters lodge with a student hall of residence building, gave way at 10 pm with approximately 15-20 students walking across it during a fancy dress birthday party. A fleet of 12 ambulances treated the students at the scene and 10 students were taken to the Royal Surrey County Hospital and to Frimley Park Hospital for observation and treatment. Eight of those were released on Monday and two students currently remain in hospital (at the time of The Herald going to press on Wednesday), one for observation and the other for treatment on a broken ankle. Jennifer McKevitt, 19, was on the walkway when it collapsed. "Everything just fell and I was injured when everyone fell on top of me," she said. "Half of the walkway collapsed at first and then the other half fell straight after. Many of my house mates were involved because we were at the party and one of my friends had an injury to his head." The first year photography student injured her left leg in the incident and is currently using crutches to help her walk. "I was released from hospital last night (Sunday) and I don't know the extent of my injuries yet because my leg has swollen up so much," said Jennifer. "Everyone is still in shock about it and we can't believe it has happened." The walkway bridge was constructed as part of the student village development that was built in 1996 and connects part of the student village to a communal space over the porters lodge. It was seven metres long, three metres wide and was constructed of a solid timber platform with beams over columns. There have been no previous incidents or reported problems with the walkway bridge since its construction. The University College for the Creative Arts (UCCA), formally know as the Surrey Institute of Art and Design, has launched an immediate investigation into the incident. Professor Elaine Thomas, rector of UCCA, said: "Our primary concern is always for the welfare of our students and we are doing all we can to provide them with the necessary support. Our emergency response team dealt with the situation admirably and were able to provide immediate action to those involved. "Our students services' staff will continue to provide comfort and support while our estates services department, including the health and safety team, is already conducting a thorough investigation."