CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – A collapsing ladder sent a drum major jumping to safety as he led his band during a competition Saturday.
In the video shot at Coral Springs High School, the ladder collapses underneath Ethan Molina, who safely jumps to the ground and continues directing the Somerset Academy marching band.
"It's every drum major's nightmare for that to happen," he said. "It's right before I do a big cue and I shift my weight."
"All of the sudden, we hear a crack and we hear a scream and we see him jump off the podium," said Tatiana Ortega. "I have never seen that before."
"I'm the leader of this marching band, have to show I'm still confident and it was still a great performance," said Molina.
Molina said he trains for mishaps but didn't expect one during a competition.
Molina kept the screw that came loose as a souvenir, and his cool demeanor helped the Panthers win the highest marks possible at the competition.
"We practiced way too much to let that happen," said Molina.