NEWPORT, R.I. (WJAR) — Four boys were hurt during a roof collapsed at a former stable at Brenton Point State Park in Newport, according to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, or DEM.
This is the last thing that we want to see happen," said Department of Environmental Management Public Information Officer Michael Healey. "It's obviously very troubling what's happened, and we hope that the teenagers who were injured will have full recoveries."Healey said one of the boys climbed on the roof of a former stable shortly before 4 p.m. EDT on Monday, causing a section of the roof to collapse under the boy's weight.
The boy and a slab of concrete fell 25 feet onto two boys inside of the building, locally known as "The Bells."
The estate was built in 1876 and destroyed by fire in 1960. The wrecked mansion was eventually torn down but the stables have become a frequent stop by local partygoers or urban explorers.
I've seen some pictures of the inside and it's kind of sketchy in there, so it was kind of bound to happen at some point," said Newport resident Cameron Doherty.According to DEM, two boys, 15 and 16, were taken by ambulance to Hasbro Children's Hospital while the third victim, a 15-year-old boy, was med-flighted.
A fourth victim, a 12-year-old boy, was treated and released at the scene.
DEM said it installed fencing around the building ten years ago and has prohibited entry. The department said no trespassing signs are also posted around the property.
Healey said they are working with the Rhode Island Preservation Society to figure out the next steps for the building.
We'd like to tear the structure down completely, but it does have some historical significance," he said.____
EDITOR'S NOTE: WJAR's Leanna Faulk contributed to this report.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7zZqroqeeYsSwvsudZp%2Bnpad6o7vYrGShraKpeqq6jKumqJ5dmLytuMCpqp5lmaN6s7TOnZxmoaOhrq%2BwjJupnqakpLtuvM6ipa1lo6mutbGMqZiro12jsri8zqurZquklq%2BtsYyhpqurlah6tbTEZpmepJyoeqq6ya6pnpxdnrurwdGinKxllJq9or7TppynrF2ks26xza%2Bgq6eeorKvwMClZKaZnpa0prnEp6tmoJmowbC%2ByJyYpWWgp7yxsdGtsA%3D%3D