Fundraiser held for teen hospitalized after Portsmouth stairway collapse

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WLNE) — It’s been weeks since a deadly stairway collapse at a graduation party in Portsmouth, but the Aquidneck Island community is working to make sure those impacted are not forgotten.

Izzy Chobanian and Katie Gavan sang a rendition of the National Anthem for their friend, 17-year-old Aaron Delgado, who was still in the hospital after the stairwell collapse at the Portuguese American Club.

“I was there and I watched the stairs collapse,” Chobanian said. “I just saw it fall and was like ‘Oh my goodness where is Aaron? Where’s my friend Kelly? Where are they?’”

15-year-old Kelly Nevitt was killed as the concrete landing came crashing down.

Delgado was also pinned underneath and remains in the hospital with serious injuries.

“I know she’s pushing through, and I’m very proud of her, she’s a very strong individual,” Chobanian said. “We’re all doing our best here to try and be strong for our friends.”

The community came together for an afternoon of food, music, and raffles to raise money for Delgado’s recovery.

The Hands of Hope Foundation was the leading force behind the event.

“When something happens on Aquidneck Island we all feel it, we all just kind of jumped in and put a team together to put this fundraiser together,” organizer Melody Mulcahey said.

Chobanian and Gavan both grew close with Delgado through singing, so it was natural for them to kick off the afternoon with the anthem.

“I know she loves being a part of the vocal ensemble group,” Gavan said. “So just singing that for her is just really meaningful.”