A 21-year-old student from the University of California, Berkeley, Bandna Bhatti, was left paralyzed from the waist down following a severe fall at a fraternity house party in April. Bhatti, who was just weeks away from graduating with a degree in Data Science, slipped and fell from an external metal staircase at the Phi Kappa Tau house around 1 p.m. on April 19. However, it wasn’t until approximately seven hours later that medical professionals were alerted to her condition when her friends called 911.
Bhatti’s sister, Sonya, expressed the family’s shock and grief on a GoFundMe page set up to raise funds for Bandna’s medical care. “Our beloved sister, Bandna, was just three weeks away from graduating when our world was turned upside down,” Sonya wrote. “We received the kind of call no family ever wants to get. Bandna had suffered a tragic and devastating fall.”
According to the family, Bhatti fell at least 12 feet, hitting her head on the way down and landing in a narrow passageway outside the fraternity house. She was discovered by her friends after about 15 minutes and brought inside the fraternity house. However, she was soon asked to leave, and her friends, unaware of the severity of her injuries, took her back to her nearby apartment.
Seven hours after the fall, emergency services were finally called. Bhatti had sustained a paralyzing spinal fracture, along with other severe injuries including a tear in the dura with spinal fluid leakage, a scapular fracture, and a brain hematoma. She is currently hospitalized.
The incident occurred on Cal Day, an annual open house event for incoming freshmen and their families. The police are investigating the incident, but have not released any details about the ongoing investigation.
The university has expressed its support for the student and her family. “UC Berkeley is aware of an ongoing police investigation regarding reports of a student being injured near or at a fraternity,” UC Berkeley said in a statement. “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 national Phi Kappa Tau organization also expressed its concern. CEO Matt Arnold stated, “Our thoughts are with the individual and their loved ones during this challenging time. The health, safety and well-being of all individuals in our community remain our highest priority.”
In a show of solidarity, Bhatti’s closest friends ran a half-marathon in her honor, aiming to raise funds for her recovery. The GoFundMe page describes Bhatti as a “brilliant, compassionate, and resilient young woman” who now faces a long and difficult road ahead. Despite the grim prognosis, Bhatti’s mother remains hopeful, vowing to do whatever it takes to see her daughter walk again.