Man falls from UW fraternity window
SEATTLE -- A man was injured in a fall from a third-story window at a University of Washington fraternity late Thursday.
Seattle Police say the 21-year-old was perched on the window's ledge, with his feet dangling, at the Sigma Chi fraternity house at 4505 18th Avenue NE. Another frat brother saw him three stories up and yelled to him to get back inside.
The witness told police the man was intoxicated so he ran inside to try and pull him from the window, but it was too late. The UW student fell 30 feet and survived.
He was taken to Harborview Medical Center where he was listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit.
"It's really unfortunate it seems almost like, it's almost a trend," said Casey Smith, news editor for the UW Daily.
Smith reported on string of similar incidents last year when junior Kevin MacDonald died. He also fell from the third story window of different frat house.
"I think it was just really tough," said student Smitha George. "It was like, OK, another one."
Don Jensen has built a living memorial to his son Brett. He died seven years ago this month when he also fell 30 feet from a frat house deck. He was playing a drinking game. Jensen predicted it would happen again.
"I was sickened and saddened. I wasn't surprised," he said.
Last year, the university says it encouraged every Greek chapter to begin regular safety inspections and seek recommendations from their National Chapters and insurance providers.
The Vice Provost of Student Life says they have an 'ongoing dialogue' with the Greek community leadership about this very issue and says the majority has made improvements, but he didn't know any specifics.
Jensen says another fall should prove - it's time for a new strategy.
"Please do something step up to the plate. I'm really surprised there's not more public outcry."
Seattle Police say the 21-year-old was perched on the window's ledge, with his feet dangling, at the Sigma Chi fraternity house at 4505 18th Avenue NE. Another frat brother saw him three stories up and yelled to him to get back inside.
The witness told police the man was intoxicated so he ran inside to try and pull him from the window, but it was too late. The UW student fell 30 feet and survived.
He was taken to Harborview Medical Center where he was listed in serious condition in the intensive care unit.
"It's really unfortunate it seems almost like, it's almost a trend," said Casey Smith, news editor for the UW Daily.
Smith reported on string of similar incidents last year when junior Kevin MacDonald died. He also fell from the third story window of different frat house.
"I think it was just really tough," said student Smitha George. "It was like, OK, another one."
Don Jensen has built a living memorial to his son Brett. He died seven years ago this month when he also fell 30 feet from a frat house deck. He was playing a drinking game. Jensen predicted it would happen again.
"I was sickened and saddened. I wasn't surprised," he said.
Last year, the university says it encouraged every Greek chapter to begin regular safety inspections and seek recommendations from their National Chapters and insurance providers.
The Vice Provost of Student Life says they have an 'ongoing dialogue' with the Greek community leadership about this very issue and says the majority has made improvements, but he didn't know any specifics.
Jensen says another fall should prove - it's time for a new strategy.
"Please do something step up to the plate. I'm really surprised there's not more public outcry."