The property manager of a building where a woman fell three stories to her death during a Fleet Week Blue Angels party is investigating the incident, according to the building’s property management company.
The woman, identified Tuesday as Patricia Hamon, 51, apparently tripped and fell during the rooftop party on Oct. 7, according to her ex-husband, Clark Hamon, and a Facebook post made by a friend. Hamon was known to her friends as Tricia O’Connor—her maiden name.
“Our office is investigating this matter and will follow up when we have more information,” said Stefan Calic, property management director at Hanford-Freund & Company. “Our office is still gathering all of the relevant facts of the incident.”
Tenants and neighbors said the party happened on the roof of the apartment building at 2940 Van Ness Ave. and that about 10 people may have been present.
‘You’re Not Supposed To Go Up There’
The Standard visited the apartment building Thursday and accessed the roof via an unlocked door that was slightly ajar. Signs reading “keep out” and “emergency exit only” were posted to the door. The roof did not appear to be built for leisure use, felt spongy, was covered in gravel and had no guardrails or significant ledges around its perimeter.
In San Francisco, a roof does not need guardrails or protective walls, known as parapets, unless a building has a permitted rooftop deck, or has machinery on the roof being worked on, such as an HVAC system.
“It’s not the owner’s responsibility; you’re not supposed to be up there,” said Engin Yagmur, a structural engineer with San Francisco firm ECS Engineering.
The property is owned by three individuals and two trusts. The Standard was unable to reach them for comment.
‘I Knew She Was Dead’
A witness who lives across the street from where the incident happened told The Standard that Hamon fell onto the outdoor steps of the neighboring home at 2930 Van Ness Ave.
The witness, who asked to remain anonymous because she said she feels traumatized by the incident and wants privacy, said she heard a “loud sound” around 4 p.m. Saturday before seeing a woman’s body on the concrete steps. The Standard has been unable to verify where Hamon landed after her fall. The San Francisco Fire Department said it could not confirm the location due to legal reasons.
“Then I saw blood pouring out [of her head], and I just screamed,” the witness said. “Her friends were looking over the roof. I was screaming for them to call 911, because I was too horrified to do so myself.”
The witness said a passerby called 911 and they performed CPR for about five minutes until police responded and continued to administer medical aid. The witness said medics arrived shortly after and tried to use a defibrillator on Hamon.
“When they gave up, I knew she was dead,” the witness said. “They were taking the body away, and [her friends] all held hands, and talked about her,” the witness said.
A friend of Hamon, Alix Rosenthal, posted a message on Facebook Tuesday on behalf of Hamon’s family.
“I am sad to announce that Tricia suffered a fatal accident at a Blue Angels party on Saturday,” wrote Rosenthal. “We are still working on plans for a memorial, and will announce details as soon as we have them. Trishie was a bright light in our community, her passing is an unspeakable loss for all of us. Please seek support from one another as we grieve together.”
Rosenthal and the O’Connor family declined to comment further.