HARTFORD - Twenty-eight Trinity College students people were hurt after a three-story deck collapsed during a party at a house near the Hartford campus late Saturday night.
Students were drinking alcohol on all three floors of the deck at the home, according to police. The house, at 1715 Broad Street, is home to five people and is owned by the college, but is managed by another company, police said.
At around 11 p.m., the deck on the third floor collapsed onto the second floor, then both fell on to the first floor deck.
Police said the victims were taken to five area hospitals for treatment. Police said that none of the victims received serious injuries, the worst being a broken bone.
"The decks seem pretty old and somewhat deteriorated now that they're detached from the house and we can see some of the deterioration," said Deputy Hartford Police Chief Brian Foley." The collapse was pretty significant. Those are pretty weighty decks that fell down and we're very lucky there wasn't worse injuries from this sort of thing. Those are heavy old decks that came down."
"When I saw where the accident occurred the thought that went through my mind is 'Thank God this wasn't worse' and 'Thank God no lives were lost.' This really could have been a truly tragic incident and I want to commend all the first responders," said Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin. "I don't want to jump to any conclusions. I don't know exactly what caused the deck to fall tonight but there are a lot of older properties and you gotta make sure you're not putting too much stress on them."
Trinity College released a statement at around 7:30 Sunday morning:
College staff went to the hospitals to be with the students and assist with getting in touch with the students’ families and with providing transportation back to campus. At this time, the majority of the students have been treated and discharged by hospitals and the college will remain in direct contact with those students who remain in treatment.
College staff have been actively trying to reach parents of students who were injured to make sure they have heard from their student and are aware of medical evaluation and treatment received. The Trinity College Health Center will be reaching out to those students evaluated to determine and assist with any follow-up. The Dean of Students Office will also continue to work with students and parents in the days ahead. Trinity Counseling Center staff and Chaplains are available to students.
While this event is upsetting, we are grateful that none of the injuries are life-threatening.
Concerned family and friends should call the campus safety department (860-297-2222) for the latest information on the victims.
