LEWISTON, Maine — Local police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fall of a Bates College student who was listed Thursday in critical condition.
Lt. Michael McGonagle said police are talking to witnesses and visited the stairwell of Parker Hall where Troy J. Pappas, 18, of Eliot fell down a stairwell.
“We want to find out exactly what he was doing at the time of the fall and also what he was doing several hours prior to the fall,” McGonagle said.
A spokeswoman at Central Maine Medical Center said Thursday that Pappas, a first-year student at the college, was listed in critical condition. He was taken to CMMC on Saturday night after the fall, a spokesman for the college said.
McGonagle said his department learned about the incident Monday and launched its investigation Tuesday. In addition to conducting interviews, police are reviewing reports from college staff and emergency medical services workers, he said.
Police decided to investigate due to the seriousness of the fall, McGonagle said.
The college is cooperating fully with police, said Roland Adams, spokesman for the college.
A Bates student who was with Pappas on Saturday night called the Bates office of Security and Campus Safety to report the fall. Bates security officers and Bates Emergency Medical Services responded to the call.
Pappas’ parents were notified after the incident and have been at the hospital since shortly after the incident occurred, Adams said. Extended members of his family also have been at the hospital, along with members of the Bates community.
Pappas is a wide receiver on the Bates football team. His studies at the college are focused on science and math, Adams said.
A graduate of Marshwood High School in South Berwick, Pappas was captain and quarterback of that football team and was a member of that school’s varsity baseball and basketball teams. He earned top honors at Marshwood and was a member of the math team and student government.
How awful for this fine young man and his family. Nothing can prepare loved ones for this kind of tragedy. My prayers are with all of you as you continue your vigil, and I hope for the best outcome possible for Troy.
This is the second time you’ve brought his name up. What’s your point?
Prayers for the family, what an outstanding young man. I pray he recovers 100%.
We have been lifting Troy and his family in prayer since we heard of this awful tragedy. God be with you. We love you.
Got it. Wasn’t aware. More importantly, prayers for Troy’s recovery and comfort for his family and friends.
Did he fall or was he pushed? Or was there some medical condition that could have led to the fall? Or are police suspecting something else that could have led to the fall?
Given that he is athletic, I would have to assume he is coordinated. I am as klutzy as they come and have had a number of stupid accidents over the years. But even I never fell down a flight of stairs.
I hope for his full recovery.
It could have been something as simple as a wet leaf on a step from the shoe of the last person who was there. I don’t know. All I’m saying is even with caution, these accidents aren’t always preventable.
Whatever caused his fall, I wish him a quick recovery.
Unfortunately that is all too possible.
Hey BDN– how many moronic comments (and violations of your “rules”) does Henderson Bobby need to make before you delete his access? You have ridiculous standards. Todd Benoit– are you paying attention to what a joke you are making of the BDN???
Why don’t you phone Todd or send him an e-mail? He has been in charge of the comment section long before DISQUS took over and I know for fact he does not spend time reading the comment section.
The BDN is an e-tabloid. Shameful fall. Rick Warren should get on here and see the wild west that has been created– and promulgated– by the new media BDN. Sad.
I offered you a solution and if you choose to ignore it, feel free to do so. I have meet Todd more than once, he is a nice guy but if you don’t desire to offer him input, then don’t. Just complain here instead.