WSU Student Survives 11-Story Dorm Fall

Oct. 12--A 22-year-old male Washington State University student "exited" his 11th-story dorm window around 10 p.m. Wednesday and survived the fall, according to police and WSU spokesman Darin Watkins.

The student, whose identity is being withheld until a family member who is outside of the country can be contacted, fell 11 stories from the east side of Orton Hall on campus. Lt. Steve Hansen of WSU Police said the student was conscious and semi-alert on the grass when officers arrived.

Alcohol was not involved and neither was foul play, Hansen said.

Brady Seroshek, a 21-year-old chemical engineering major at WSU, said he was doing homework in his room when he heard a loud noise on the floor above and then heard someone yelling for help. Seroshek said he went to the window and saw the scene below, where the student was telling bystanders he needed an ambulance.

"And at that time I was thinking if he was able to talk, (he must not have fallen) from the top floor because he'd probably die," Seroshek said. "But it was, and I'm really happy he lived."

The student was transported to Pullman Regional Hospital and then airlifted to Sacred Heart Medical Center.

Seroshek said he also heard tree branches snap when the fall occurred and speculated the tree broke the student's fall.

"I walked down that night and there were a bunch of tree branches all over the ground," he said.

Bob Tattershall, WSU's director of housing, said windows at the residence halls are not intended to prevent a student from exiting them. He said it is a matter of fire code, and not something they intend to change unless instructed to do so. The windows in Orton Hall slide from left to right, and have inside screens with rubber grommets screwed into the frame. Orton Hall was built in 1964 and the screens were added in the mid-1990s.

"And all they're for is to try to prevent students from taking the screen out," Tattershall said. "They're not intended for, nor would they stop somebody from getting out from the screen."

According to WSU's residence hall policy guide, "Individuals are not allowed to lean out of windows or sit on windowsills or remove screens. ... Such behavior may result in conduct action against those involved and those responsible for the room in question."

A relative told Pullman Police the student underwent one surgery on his leg Thursday, but was unsure if more would follow.

"It's almost miraculous that he has recovered from this fall," Watkins said, "and we're just really hopeful that he can make a full recovery."

Kelcie Moseley can be reached at (208) 882-5561, ext. 237, or by email to kmoseley@dnews.com.

Copyright 2012 - Moscow-Pullman Daily News, Moscow, Idaho