UC Berkeley Student Paralyzed After Fall at Fraternity Party

BERKELEY, Calif. – A UC Berkeley student, Bandna Bhatti, 21, is paralyzed from the waist down after falling from a metal stairwell at a fraternity party on April 19. Bhatti was just weeks away from graduating with a degree in data science.

According to her mother, Sukh Bhatti, the accident occurred around 1 p.m. during Cal Day, an open house event at the university. Bhatti slipped off an external stairway at the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, falling approximately 12 feet and striking her head before landing in a narrow passageway. She was found about 15 minutes later.

Bhatti’s family claims that after she was discovered, fraternity members instructed those who brought her in to leave, and instead of calling 911, her friends took her to her nearby apartment. Emergency services were not contacted until seven hours later.

“She cannot walk. She cannot move her body,” Sukh Bhatti told KTVU, describing her daughter’s condition. The family notes that Bandna has suffered a spinal fracture, brain bleed, and several broken bones due to the fall.

Matt Arnold, CEO of the national Phi Kappa Tau organization, expressed deep concern over the incident, stating, “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 priorities.”

To support Bandna’s recovery, her family has created a GoFundMe campaign, which aims to raise $450,000 for medical expenses. As of now, they have received over $101,260 in donations. Written on the fundraising page, her family described her as “a brilliant, compassionate, and resilient young woman” who now faces a difficult journey ahead requiring extensive therapy and care.

Friends of Bhatti have also organized a half-marathon to raise additional funds for her expenses. “I will make sure she walks. I’ll do whatever it takes,” Sukh Bhatti promised.

The UC Berkeley Police Department is currently investigating the incident as campus officials express their concern for Bhatti and her family.