Ceres grad remains hospitalized after paralyzing fall at UC Berkeley

A Central Valley High School graduate and current UC Berkeley student remains hospitalized and paralyzed after a “tragic and devastating fall,” according to a family member’s GoFundMe post.

On April 19 during Cal Day — an open house event held to welcome newly admitted students — Bandna Bhatti fell from the external stairway at the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity house and struck her head, a family member told KTVU.

KTVU also reported that Bhatti was found at the narrow passageway outside the fraternity house 15 minutes later and taken to her apartment. No one called 911 until around seven hours later.

Bhatti suffered several injuries, including a brain hematoma, a tearing of the dura with spinal fluid leakage, a scapular and spinal fracture, the GoFundMe page says. She is currently paralyzed from the waist down.

The fall occurred just days before Bhatti was set to graduate with a degree in data science.

“These injuries are not only life-altering but will require extensive and ongoing medical care, including physical therapy, rehabilitation, and specialized support to help her navigate this new chapter,” the GoFundMe page states. “The journey ahead is extensive and demanding, but with your assistance, we hope to provide the vital resources she requires, specialized care, adaptive equipment and essential home modifications to help Bandna regain as much independence as possible.”

The GoFundMe page, which is focused on helping Bhatti receive specialized care and handle medical expenses, has raised over $106,000 as of Tuesday morning.

Baljinder Bhatti, Bandna’s father, told The Bee on Monday that his daughter has no feeling and movement in her lower body.

Matt Arnold, the chief executive officer for the National Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, said in a statement that the fraternity is cooperating with university officials and local authorities in the investigation of the incident

“We are deeply concerned by recent reports of an incident involving a young student who was reportedly injured near the Phi Kappa Tau chapter house at the University of California, Berkeley,” the statement read. “We are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and are fully cooperating with the university officials and local authorities in their investigation.”

Adam Ratliff, campus spokesperson, stated in an email to The Bee that the Berkeley Police Department also is investigating the incident.

“UC Berkeley is aware of an ongoing police investigation regarding reports of a student being injured off-campus near or at a fraternity. Our thoughts are with the student, their family, loved ones and friends during this time. We are following our protocols to offer support to the student and their family,” Ratliff wrote.

This story was originally published May 6, 2025 at 12:03 PM.