Portsmouth superintendent released statement after 15-year-old student killed in building collapse

PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WLNE) — Portsmouth schools Superintendent Thomas Kenworthy released a statement to the community after a 15-year-old student was killed in a building collapse on June 7.

The Portuguese-American Citizens Club on Power Street partially collapsed around 6 p.m.

Kenworthy said that several students were injured in addition to the girl who was killed.

He also said that grief counselors would be available at the Portsmouth High School library from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, and that the school would reopen Monday.

Kenworthy’s full statement can be read below:

Dear Members of the PSD Community:

It is with a heavy heart that I share the heartbreaking news that several of our students were involved in a devastating accident yesterday afternoon, resulting in the death of one of our students and serious injuries to other students.

This tragedy deeply impacts our entire district community. We are working closely with grief counselors and support staff to ensure that students and staff have the support they need during this difficult time. We will have the PHS library open on Sunday, June 8, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. for grief counseling for all students, including the recently graduated seniors.  We will reopen on Monday morning for PHS students. Counselors will be available at all Portsmouth schools in the coming days, and we encourage anyone who needs support to reach out to any member of our district mental health staff or a school administrator.

We know you may have questions. At this time, out of respect for the privacy of the families involved, we are unable to provide further information. Should your child need additional mental health support, please contact Newport Mental Health at 401-846-1213.

Our thoughts and prayers are with these families during this difficult time.

Sincerely,

Dr. Thomas Kenworthy

Superintendent