Portsmouth Police give update on structural collapse that killed teen, seriously injured several others

Portsmouth, RI — Portsmouth Police have issued an update concerning a fatal incident at a graduation gathering over the weekend that killed a local teen.

According to Major Mike Morse, at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, officers from the Portsmouth Police Department responded to 35 Power Street for a report of a structural collapse with multiple injuries. Upon arrival, officers joined personnel from the Portsmouth Fire Department already on scene. The incident involved a concrete landing located at the top of an exterior stairway on the north side of the building, which led to the second-floor entrance of the Portuguese American Club. The landing detached from the building and collapsed downward, ultimately settling perpendicular to the ground and trapping two juveniles beneath it, a 15-year-old female and a 17-year-old female, both from Portsmouth.

Tragically, the 15-year-old juvenile lost her life as a result of the collapse. The 17-year-old remains in critical condition at the hospital.

In addition to this tragic loss, three individuals that had been standing on the landing sustained injuries. A 19-year-old female resident of Little Compton was treated and released from the hospital, a 49-year-old female resident of Merrillville, Indiana remains hospitalized with serious injuries, and a 46-year-old male resident of Portsmouth suffered a minor injury and was not hospitalized.

Morse stated that out of respect for the privacy of the families, the name of the deceased juvenile has not yet been released. Similarly, the names of those injured are being withheld during their ongoing recovery.

The Portsmouth Police Detective Division is currently investigating the incident to determine whether any criminal factors were involved. The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office is assisting with the investigation. The criminal investigation by the Detective Division is separate from the review being conducted by the building official and the town planner.

The club issued a statement on Sunday.

“It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that that we acknowledge this unthinkable tragedy that has befallen our community. The Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club has always taken pride in providing a venue at which our community can congregate and celebrate. Words, neither written or spoken, can express the sorrow with which we are all stricken. Our thoughts and prayers are with all involved and affected. This tragedy has shaken us all to our core. We would like to express a debt of gratitude to our first responders and law enforcement in the town of Portsmouth and neighboring communities.”