Source: Radio New Zealand
Otago University vice-chancellor Grant Robertson is warning students to stay off roofs after a young man was critically injured falling from a building at the Dunedin campus. Tess Brunton/RNZ
Otago University is urging students to “stay off roofs” after a young man was critically injured falling from a building at the Dunedin campus.
The man was in Dunedin Hospital, after being found by campus staff shortly after midnight on Wednesday.
Police said the injured man was not a student at the university.
The Otago Daily Times reported the young man fell from the Centre for Innovation building near the intersection of Cumberland and Saint David streets.
In a statement, university vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said staff acted quickly and alerted emergency services after finding the man.
“Staff are continuing to work closely with police and providing assistance where possible. As this is a police investigation, we are unable to provide further details about the incident,” he said.
Ahead of Otago University’s O-week celebrations, the university was outlining the importance of safe decision-making.
“With students returning to the city, we strongly encourage everyone to look out for one another, make safe choices and seek help early if they have concerns. Our Campus Watch staff are available 24/7 to assist students in the North Dunedin community,” Robertson said.
Campus Watch staff had begun door-knocking flats in North Dunedin, Robertson said.
“We provide practical information on personal safety, property security, safe behaviour in two-storey flats, avoiding climbing on roofs, waste and recycling requirements and other matters important to a safe start to the year.
“I cannot stress enough about the importance of staying off roofs. The tragic outcomes of that are well-known and we do not want anyone, or their friends and whānau to have to experience that.”
Otago University student and age-grade rugby representative Jayden Broome was still recovering from a critical brain injury, after falling from the roof of a two-storey Dunedin flat in September last year.
The 19-year-old spent four months in hospital and was unable to eat for 115 days following the fall, The Southland Tribune reported last week.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
