Four British men were hospitalized early today after falling two stories from an Ocean City apartment balcony and landing on the Boardwalk, police said.

Ocean City police said the accident occurred about 2:40 a.m. when a balcony railing collapsed at an apartment above Trimper's Rides at the south end of the resort town.

Andrew Ratcliffe and Martin Harrington, the two most seriously injured, were taken to Peninsula General Medical Center in Salisbury.

Mr. Ratcliffe was listed in critical condition with a head injury. Mr. Harrington was transferred to another hospital, according to Peninsula spokeswoman Donna Richardson. She refused to identify the hospital. Police said men are in their 20s.

Police said Edwin Rimmer and Cameron Brain, whose ages were not available, were taken to Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin. Their conditions were not available.

A police spokesman said the men were "clowning around" with a mattress on the balcony when the railing gave way.

Johnnie Jett, a secretary at Trimper's Rides, said owners of the business -- one of Ocean City's best-known attractions -- had no comment today.

"We really don't know anything," she said. "We are just starting to learn the facts now." she said.