Ellendale, DE- Delaware State Police investigate the roof collapse of a chicken house that resulted in a 12-year-old female being injured. 

On January 4, 2022, at approximately 3:10 p.m., Delaware State Police were dispatched to the 17000 block of Maple Branch Rd., Ellendale, for a reported structure collapse. The investigation determined at approximately 3:00 p.m., a 17-year-old male, a 12-year-old female, a 14-year-old female, an 11-year-old female, a 20-year-old female, and an adult male were working in the chicken houses located on the property. When all individuals entered one of the chicken houses, the 17-year-old male observed the food and water lines sagging. He began telling everyone inside to get out when the roof collapsed. All of the individuals inside escaped without injury except the two youngest females. The 17-year-old male and the other male began digging through the debris when they located the 12-year-old female pinned under the collapsed roof. They were able to safely remove her from the collapsed chicken house, and EMS transported her to a nearby hospital in stable condition. The 11-year-old female was not trapped in the fallen debris but was also transported by EMS to a nearby hospital, where she was discharged after being medically cleared.  

This case remains under investigation by Delaware State Police Troop 4 Criminal Investigations Unit, but preliminary findings indicate the roof collapse resulted from snow on the roof. 

Delaware State Police would like to thank the Ellendale Volunteer Fire Department and Sussex County Technical Rescue Team for their assistance rescuing the victims in the chicken house roof collapse yesterday. Additionally, our thoughts remain with the victims and their family and hope for a speedy recovery.

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Presented by Public Information Officer, Master Corporal Heather Pepper

Released: 010422 1928

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