Weeks Before Graduation, 21-Year-Old Indian-Origin UC Berkeley Student Bandna Bhatti Paralysed After Fall At Frat House Party

Washington:

A tragic incident occurred at the University of California, Berkeley, where a 21-year-old Indian-origin student, Bandna Bhatti, suffered a life-altering injury just weeks before her graduation. Bhatti, who was studying Data Science, fell from a balcony at a fraternity house party and was left paralysed from the waist down. The fall occurred on April 19 when she slipped and fell from an outdoor staircase at the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house.

Disturbingly, Bhatti did not receive prompt medical attention and was left unattended for several hours before her friends called 911, as reported by FOX KTVU.

“She cannot walk. She cannot move her body,” expressed her mother, Sukh Bhatti, to KTVU. 

Details of the Incident

According to her family, Bhatti was at a fraternity party during Cal Day, an event for incoming freshmen and their families, when the fall occurred. She fell approximately 12 feet, hitting her head on the way down, and was found by her friends after 15 minutes. Instead of seeking immediate medical help, the fraternity members allegedly asked her friends to leave the party with her. Unaware of the severity of her injuries, her friends took her back to her apartment nearby.

It was only around seven hours later that emergency services were finally contacted.

Aside from a spinal fracture causing paralysis, Bhatti also suffered other serious injuries, including spinal fluid leakage, a scapular fracture, and a brain hematoma, as detailed in a GoFundMe page set up by her sister Sonya Bhatti to cover her medical expenses.

“She is currently undergoing treatment, which will involve extensive medical care, physical therapy, and rehabilitation to help her adjust to her new reality,” the page stated. 

It was mentioned that Bhatti was on the verge of graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in Data Science, a significant achievement she had worked hard for.

Support from the University

UC Berkeley and the fraternity have expressed their support for Bhatti and her family during this challenging time. 

“UC Berkeley is aware of the incident involving a student near or at a fraternity and is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. Our thoughts are with the student, their family, and friends. We are providing support as per our protocols,” mentioned a statement from the university to PEOPLE. 

“Our thoughts are with the affected individual and their loved ones. The well-being of everyone in our community is our top priority,” added Matt Arnold, CEO of the national Phi Kappa Tau organization, in a statement to The New York Post.