MANILA, Philippines - Miss World Megan Young figured in an accident during her visit to an orphanage in Port Au Prince, Haiti last Thursday when the floor collapsed as the children flocked to her.
Miss World chief executive Julia Morley and a young boy named Jonathan, falling eight to 10 feet from the floor board, suffered fractures from the collapse after being hit by debris, the pageant recounted in a statement on Tuesday.
"We went into the orphanage hoping for a good day. I was happy that day and the children we were with seemed so full of energy and joy. We get onto this second floor platform, and we aren't even there for a minute and we hear a crack and everybody falls through," Young told pageant officials.
Even after having fallen through the floor, Young managed to land on her feet and not only spared herself from injuries but ensured the the crown she wore was undamaged.
"Nothing like that has really happened to me before. It was such a shock. I felt like a deer in the headlights. I didn't really know what had happened or what to do. We had all fallen down, but I was still on my feet. I had the crown in one hand and the other hand instinctively holding up one of the decks in place with two people," Young said.
"There were lots of kids under the decks still and we just instinctively held on. It was such a scary situation for me. It makes you realise there is so much more that should be done for these kids," the Filipina added.
Morley, meanwhile, sustained a delicate fracture in the hip area and was transferred from the local hospital, which refused to repair her injuries as it was deemed too risky.
"It was therefore decided that Julia would be airlifted to Miami to undergo immediate surgery," the statement released by the pageant on Monday said.
Only Jonathan, who suffered from a broken leg, was treated in the local hospital.
"We just hope that Julia recovers from it as quickly as possibly and dear Jonathan. My thoughts are with them at this time. It was a real eye opener and just shows how much work needs to be done in Haiti," Young said.