Hingham Police Say Tragedy Was Avoided at Memorial Day House Party

Police say they avoided tragedy on Saturday night by breaking up the Memorial Day house party that resulted in 17 arrests.

Hingham Sgt. Steven Dearth said the underage drinkers could have also  suffered from alcohol poisoning or have been injured in an accident.

Dearth said if police did not arrive, intoxicated teens, who were found inside vehicles, could have drove home. In addition,  the second floor, which was reportedly only held up by two beams, may have collapsed and injured people.

“They all smelled of alcohol," Dearth said. “There were six to eight vehicles that were going to be driven away by people that were impaired.”

The police report also stated that the homeowner William Hacking had came up to the second floor during the party and told the group that “if any more people come up here, the floor will cave in, it’s only supported by two beams”.

Dearth said the first arriving officer may have been injured if he was struck by the beer bottle that was thrown at his cop car.

“A Memorial Day tragedy could have been issued in a lot of way,” Dearth said.