A female student fell out of a third-floor Buxton House window early Thursday morning, sustaining minor injuries, according to University spokesperson Molly de Ramel.
Two Department of Public Safety officers responded to the incident, which occurred at about 3 a.m. The student was taken to Rhode Island Hospital with "minor injuries," de Ramel said.
Local fire and rescue officials also responded to the scene.
The incident occurred after the student and friends returned from Fish Co Bar and Grill, according to John Shields '07, a Buxton resident. Shields, who had been at Fish Co with the student, said she "had been drinking a bit."
Shields accompanied her to the hospital after the fall and remained with her until 10 a.m. yesterday. As of last night, the student was still recovering in the hospital, Shields said. He declined to provide details about the student's injuries, but said he expected her to suffer "no permanent damage."
On returning to Buxton from Fish Co, the female student entered a women's restroom, while others waited outside. After several minutes, Shields said he entered the restroom, which was empty. He said he saw the open window and went to look outside, where he saw the student lying on the grass about 30 feet below.
Shields said he ran downstairs, yelling for people to call emergency services. Before DPS and local fire and rescue officials responded, Shields said he supported the head of the student, who he said was breathing, but added that she could not move her feet and was bleeding. De Ramel said the student was alert enough to tell the officers that the fall "was an accident."
- with additional reporting by Eric Beck
