Scaffolding Collapse at Summit Skywalker Ranch Injures Five During Event Setup

Key points

• Incident occurred at 3838 Lucas Valley Road, the Summit Skywalker Ranch property, which is distinct from the main Skywalker Ranch facility.
• Initial dispatch reported three people trapped under a stage; five men were ultimately injured.
• One patient suffered a serious head injury and was transported via 'code three' response, indicating a very serious condition.
• Firefighters from Marin County, San Rafael, and Novato departments responded; sheriff's deputies did not attend the scene.
• All units cleared the area by 1:31 p.m., and the cause of the collapse remains under investigation by the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

Background

This incident involves the Summit Skywalker Ranch, a facility formerly known as Big Rock Ranch, located in Marin County. It is distinct from the principal Skywalker Ranch property associated with George Lucas. Recent archive coverage notes that the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Los Angeles opened a Skywalker Grill restaurant inspired by the ranch, highlighting the brand's continued presence in hospitality and entertainment sectors, though this specific collapse is unrelated to those developments.

Why it matters

The collapse highlights ongoing safety concerns in event setup and construction, prompting an investigation by Cal/OSHA. The severity of the injuries, particularly the serious head trauma, underscores the risks associated with scaffolding and display structures in large-scale event preparations.

What to watch

Cal/OSHA will continue its investigation to determine the cause of the collapse. The injured individuals will receive medical treatment, with the most severely injured patient requiring hospital care. No further details on the event or the facility's operations have been released.