Coal walk in Dallas didn't go so well for dozens of seminar attendees.
The seminar is called "Unleash the Power Within." The multi-day event with world-renowned motivational speaker Tony Robbins is "designed to help you unlock and unleash the forces inside that can help you break through any limit and create the quality of life you desire," according to promotional materials.
"Overcome the unconscious fears that are holding you back," Robbins's site proclaims. "Storm across a bed of hot coals.
"Once you start doing what you thought was impossible, you'll conquer the other fires of your life with ease."
But Thursday's night coal walk in Dallas didn't go so well for dozens of seminar attendees: Five people were taken to the hospital and about 30 to 40 were evaluated after sustaining "burn injuries to their feet and lower extremities" after attempting to walk across hot coals in front of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center, Dallas Fire and Rescue spokesman Jason Evans said, according to WFAA.
Multiple rescue units were sent, and a Dallas Area Rapid Transit bus held the 30 to 40 patients who were being evaluated, according to officials.
"The severity of the injuries were unknown, but most people elected not to be taken to the hospital," Evans said, according to WFAA.
Representatives for Robbins did not immediately respond to an inquiry from The Washington Post.
But according to Robbins Research International statement to the Dallas CBS affiliate, "Someone not familiar with the fire walk observed the event and called 911 erroneously reporting hundreds of people requiring medical attention for severe burns. "
"While we are grateful to the quick and robust response from Dallas emergency services, only 5 of 7,000 participants requested any examination beyond what was readily available on site," the statement reads. "We are pleased to have completed another successful fire walk for 7,000 guests and look forward to the remainder of an outstanding weekend with them."
City officials knew in advance that there were plans for some kind of coal-walking event at the seminar, convention center director Ron King told the Dallas Morning News.
"He did it two years ago without any incidents that we are aware of," King told the newspaper.
All of the circumstances surrounding the event will be considered before deciding whether to bring Robbins back for another seminar, King added.
"We do take the safety of our attendees very seriously," King said, according to the Morning News. "Safety will be the primary consideration before we consider moving forward with a future event."
One attendee told WFAA that some of those attempting the walk were distracted.
"There was someone in front of us and someone behind us on their cell phone, taking selfies and taking pictures," Jacqueline Luxemberg told the station. That person, Luxemberg said, ask others "to video record for her, so I think that that has a lot to do with it."
This isn't the first time a Tony Robbins coal walk has resulted in injuries.
In 2012, nearly two dozen people were injured during a "Unleash the Power Within" seminar in San Jose, Calif. Thousands walked across the hot coals in the walk that included 24 lanes, each measuring eight feet long.
"We have been safely providing this experience for more than three decades, and always under the supervision of medical personnel," Robbins Research International said at the time. "A small number of our participants experienced pain or minor injuries and sought medical attention. We continue to work with local fire and emergency personnel to ensure this event is always done in the safest way possible."
© 2016 The Washington Post
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