A 21-year-old UC Berkeley senior was paralyzed after falling from a fraternity house near campus last month. The student, Bandna Bhatti, was injured April 19 during an event at the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house on Piedmont Avenue.
Bhatti was on an external metal stairway when she reportedly slipped and fell at least 12 feet. She hit her head before landing in a narrow passageway outside the house.
According to her family, Bhatti was found approximately 15 minutes after the fall and taken inside the fraternity. However, family members state fraternity members directed those who brought her in to leave. Bhatti was then taken to her apartment nearby.
Emergency services were not called until about seven hours after the incident occurred.
Bhatti suffered severe injuries, including spinal injuries, broken bones, and a brain bleed. She is paralyzed from the waist down and remains hospitalized.
Bhatti is a Data Science major and was weeks away from graduating from UC Berkeley.
The Berkeley Police Department is investigating the circumstances of the fall. A university spokesperson said UC Berkeley is aware of the investigation and that its thoughts are with the student, family, and friends during this time. The spokesperson added that student privacy laws prevent confirmation of the student's name.
Matt Arnold, CEO of the national Phi Kappa Tau organization, said the fraternity is concerned about the incident and is cooperating with investigators. He stated that the health and safety of all individuals in the community are priorities.
Bhatti's family and friends have started a fundraising page for her medical expenses and recovery. Friends are also running a half-marathon to help raise funds for the student's medical expenses and extended recovery.
"She will walk," her mother Sukh Bhatti said. "I will make sure she walks. I'll do whatever it takes." videoGoFundMe((Source))
