Spring Break
Eastward Look deck collapses, dozens of URI students injured
Lindsay Lorenz
Issue date: 9/16/08 Section: News
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Around 11:40 p.m. Narragansett Police responded to 37 Sakonnet Blvd. in Narragansett's Eastward Look neighborhood to find a second-story L-shaped deck had caved-in, crushing a mini-van and injuring dozens.
The deck, constructed in 1988 with pressure-treated lumber, was built in accordance with 1980 building codes.
Narragansett Building Official Anthony Santilli, Jr., who arrived on scene within an hour of the collapse, said there was no question the deck was built correctly.
However, after 20 years, "water and mother nature" weakened the wood. In any condition, Santilli said, the deck was not meant to support that many people.
In his report, submitted to Narragansett's Department of Building Inspection, Santilli said, "It is the opinion of this office that deterioration and rot due to water damage behind the ledger board and overcrowding resulted in the collapse."
Police are still investigating the actual number of people on the deck that night. Building Inspection reports indicate the count was about 60-70.
Party-goers, mostly University of Rhode Island students, flooded the South County Hospital's waiting room after the collapse. Most walked away with minor injuries, however among the more serious sustained were reports of a broken pelvis and a broken jaw.
Junior Laura Kraly said she arrived at 37 Sakonnet about ten minutes before the collapse. She said shortly before, she had felt the deck swaying.
"I heard it crack and I heard a girl scream," said Kraly. Students then tumbled the ground in a pile of wooden beams. Some landed on top of the minivan parked underneath the deck.
"My first reaction was just bend my knees because I knew the impact was coming," Kraly said. The 20-year-old injured her ankle in the fall and has had difficulty walking since.
Those who were inside the house when the fall occurred described the impact similar to an earthquake.
Elyse Gibberman, also a junior, said she doesn't remember the actual fall, but what came after can only be described as "terrifying."
