The boave image is The Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house at Berkeley, where Bandna Bhatti, 21, slipped from a railing and plunged at least a dozen feet.
Berkeley, CA: Just weeks before her graduation, 21-year-old Indian-American UC Berkeley student Bandna Bhatti suffered a life-altering fall from a fraternity house staircase, resulting in paralysis from the waist down.
The incident has galvanized the community, with over $100,000 raised through a GoFundMe campaign to support her recovery.
Key Facts:
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Bhatti fell approximately 12 feet from an external staircase at the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house during UC Berkeley's Cal Day celebrations.
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Emergency services were contacted nearly seven hours after the fall, as friends initially underestimated the severity of her injuries.
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A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $106,000 to assist with Bhatti's extensive medical care and rehabilitation.
The fall occurred around 1 p.m. during Cal Day, an annual open house event at UC Berkeley.
Bhatti, a data science major, was attending a gathering at the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house when she slipped from a metal staircase, landing in a narrow alleyway.
Friends discovered her approximately 15 minutes later and, unaware of the gravity of her injuries, took her to a nearby apartment. Emergency services were not called until nearly seven hours later.
Bhatti sustained severe injuries, including a spinal fracture, a torn dura leading to spinal fluid leakage, a scapular fracture, and a brain hematoma.
She remains hospitalized and faces a long road to recovery, involving extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
In response to the tragedy, Bhatti's family launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover medical expenses, which has garnered widespread support.
Her friends organized a half-marathon on May 4, encouraging supporters to pledge $5 per mile to raise additional funds for her recovery.
Both UC Berkeley and the national Phi Kappa Tau organization have acknowledged the incident and are cooperating with authorities in an ongoing investigation.
UC Berkeley stated, "Our thoughts are with the student, their family, loved ones, and friends during this tough time."
Do You Know?
"Cal Day" is UC Berkeley's annual open house event, inviting prospective students and their families to explore the campus and engage with the university community.
Key Terms:
Dura Mater: The outermost membrane enveloping the brain and spinal cord.
Scapular Fracture: A break in the shoulder blade bone.
Brain Hematoma: A collection of blood within the brain tissue or beneath the skull, often due to trauma.
Spinal Fluid Leakage: The escape of cerebrospinal fluid, which can occur when the dura mater is torn.