Carleton student in “satisfactory” condition after falling down stairwell

A Carleton College student fell down a stairwell in Myers Hall just before 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, Mark Taylor, Northfield Police Chief, said on Monday.

Taylor said emergency responders brought David Hecht, 18, of Knoxville, Tenn., to Northfield Hospital first. Hecht then transferred to Hennepin County Medical Center.

On Tuesday, medical center officials listed Hecht in satisfactory condition.“Satisfactory” is the hospital’s best rating for patients staying at the facility. College officials and police did not say how far the student fell.

Hudlin Wagner, vice president for student development and dean of students, released the following statement to the Carleton community on Monday.

“As some of you know or have heard, a Carleton student sustained an injury in a campus residence hall late on Saturday evening, September 20. Local paramedics responded to the scene and transported the student to Northfield Hospital. According to Northfield Hospital officials, the student was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis in stable condition.

The family wants to convey to the Carleton community that the student is being cared for and is with family, but no visitors are allowed at this time. Any further information that is available will be released as the student’s family wishes.

On behalf of the Carleton community, we will continue to offer support and communicate our best wishes to the family.”

Update 9/24

Dean Wagner said on Wednesday that no one determined what floor the student fell from. Wagner also said despite rumors, Hecht was not intoxicated at the time of the accident.

2 Comments

  1. Pablo Kenney said:

    Confusingly, there are two David Hechts on campus. The one you are referring to is not the treasurer of the Rugby team.

    September 23, 2008
  2. Bonnie Obremski said:

    Thanks for letting me know! I’ve taken that mistake out of the story. That goes to show I should be more careful about using Google to glean tidbits about people.

    September 24, 2008

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