A tragic incident at the University of California, Berkeley has left a 21-year-old Indian-origin student, Bandna Bhatti, paralysed from the waist down. Just weeks away from graduating with a degree in Data Science, Bhatti fell from a balcony at a fraternity house party in April. The fall occurred at the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house, where she slipped and fell from an outdoor staircase around 1 pm on April 19.
According to reports, after the fall, Bhatti did not receive proper medical attention for approximately seven hours before her friends eventually called 911. Her mother, Sukh Bhatti, expressed the devastating impact of the incident, stating, “She cannot walk. She cannot move her body.”
The incident took place during Cal Day at UC Berkeley, an annual event for incoming freshmen and their families. Bhatti fell around 12 feet, hitting her head on the way down and landing on a narrow passageway outside the frat house. She was left unattended for 15 minutes before being discovered by her friends. Instead of calling emergency services, the individuals at the frat house allegedly urged her friends to leave the party with her. Unaware of the severity of her injuries, Bhatti’s friends took her back to her apartment before finally calling 911 seven hours later.
Bhatti suffered a spinal fracture resulting in paralysis, along with other severe injuries such as tearing of the dura with spinal fluid leakage, a scapular fracture, and a brain hematoma. A GoFundMe page was set up by her sister, Sonya Bhatti, to raise funds for her medical care, highlighting the extensive treatment and rehabilitation she will require.
UC Berkeley and the fraternity have expressed their support for Bhatti and her family during this difficult time. The university stated, “Our thoughts are with the student, their family, loved ones and friends during this time. We are following our protocols to offer support to the student and their family.” The CEO of the national Phi Kappa Tau organization also expressed their concern, stating, “The health, safety and well-being of all individuals in our community remain our highest priority.”
As Bhatti faces a long road to recovery, the community has come together to offer their support and assistance. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety and immediate medical attention in times of crisis.
