UC Berkeley Senior Paralyzed in Fraternity House Fall

On April 19, Bandna Bhatti, a 21-year-old UC Berkeley senior, was paralyzed from the waist down after falling 12 feet from an external stairway at the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house during Cal Day. The accident left her with severe injuries, including a spinal fracture and brain hematoma, necessitating extensive medical care and rehabilitation. Friends found Bhatti about 15 minutes after the fall but, unaware of the severity, took her home instead of seeking immediate medical help, and emergency services were contacted only seven hours later. Both the fraternity's national organization and university officials have launched investigations, with the fraternity expressing concern and cooperation. Bhatti’s family has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover her significant medical expenses, raising over $90,000. The case has drawn comparisons to another high-profile paralysis incident involving an 81-year-old San Marcos woman.