ATHENS, Ga. — A University of Georgia student is seriously injured after falling from an eighth-floor window at a popular off-campus apartment complex in Athens.
The female student fell Saturday night from an eighth-floor window at the Rambler, a student-filled apartment complex on West Broad Street. She landed in the courtyard and pool area below and was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.
Channel 2’s Susan Hendricks spoke with students at the Rambler who described the complex as a popular gathering place with a central courtyard and pool surrounded by apartment units.
“It’s like a central pool in the middle,” UGA student Thatcher Knudson said, describing the layout of the complex.
Another student, Vash Sivasundar, described the courtyard as having “a very open concept” with apartment windows facing the pool and couches where residents often gather.
Channel 2 Action News obtained a photo taken from the same floor as the student’s apartment, looking down toward the pool below and showing the distance she fell.
Students told Hendricks they were stunned the student survived.
“God’s looking out for her, honestly. I really hope she’s doing well,” Sivasundar said.
“That truly is a miracle. Prayers to her and to her family,” UGA student Jackson Klien said.
A spokeswoman for the Rambler sent Channel 2’s Susan Hendricks a statement saying:
“Our thoughts are with the resident and their family. We are grateful to learn they are receiving treatment. We are continuing to gather information and review the circumstances surrounding what occurred.”
In a separate message sent to Rambler residents, management addressed the apartment windows directly and reminded residents that windows throughout the complex are equipped with safety limiters.
“As a reminder, windows throughout the community are equipped with safety limiters. For your safety, please do not tamper with, remove or disengage these devices,” the message said.
The statement does not say whether the safety limiter on the injured student’s window was engaged or functioning at the time of the fall.
“If she fell out of that window, they have to be able to open,” Sivasundar said. “I’m really surprised that they are able to open, especially from that height.”
Management says it wants to protect the student’s privacy while continuing to work with authorities.
It remains unclear exactly what caused the student to fall. There is an outpouring of concern and prayers for the student and her family on the UGA Parents Facebook page.
