15 May 2024 , 18:09
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A university student fell to her death while sliding down a bannister during pre-drinks, an inquest heard.
Benita Kaur Gill, 20, suffered a "traumatic brain injury" after losing balance on the bannister at a student flat in central Nottingham. Her inquest heard Benita, a marketing student, had been drinking with friends when she fell a distance of one and a half floors.
Sarah Wood, assistant coroner for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said today the young woman's cause of death was "1(a) traumatic brain injury, caused by 1(b) fall, and 2(b) alcohol intoxication". She heard how emergency services dashed to the property on Wednesday, March 29, 2023, at around 9.55pm to find Benita seriously injured and, though she was taken to hospital, she died two days later.
The tragedy happened as Benita and other Nottingham Trent University students gathered with the intention to attend an event later that night. Although Benita was "having the best time" moments before the horror, she climbed onto the bannister and fell.
Sitting at Nottingham Council House today, Ms Wood said: "Benita and her two friends appeared to be having the best time laughing, singing and dancing as they walked down the stairs. They were taking photographs and videos of themselves to upload onto the social media platform TikTok.
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"Benita then sat sideways on the bannister of the stairs and started to slide down it with her back facing the stairwell. I find that alcohol has contributed to decision making in doing so, which has ultimately led to her fall, causing a traumatic brain injury."
The horror was caught on CCTV, footage Ms Wood said confirmed Benita was not holding her phone while sitting on the handrail, nor was she being filmed by her friends. No health and safety concerns were present at the time of the incident regarding the student accommodation, run by Unipol.
Following the accident, an independent health and safety review was carried out by the company, which resulted in a recommendation for a higher bannister reaching hip level to be installed, Nottinghamshire Live reports. Coroner Wood said: "I note that this is a recommendation, not a requirement, and the staircase had passed all its recent inspections."
Finishing her conclusion, the coroner said: "I find that Benita's action of sitting on the handrail and subsequently sliding down it unexpectedly and unintentionally went tragically wrong. I wish to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Benita and I’m so very sorry for your loss."
The hearing was attended by Benita's parents, brother and two of her friends. A statement was read in court on behalf of Benita's family by one of her friends.
The statement said: "She was the most beautiful, caring, kind, warm-hearted girl, both inside and out, and her energy and smile would enlighten the room. We’re blessed to have had her in our lives, but her time with us was cut short and we all miss her so much that we can't put it into words. We are left heartbroken and devastated."
Benita had just been offered a placement in West London and had set up an eyelash business in her first year of university. She intended to travel after graduation for a year, "to experience the world before hitting her career aspirations".
The family thanked the police and the hospital for the support but criticised the speed of communication from the university, claiming it took two months for the university to send a letter of condolence, which the family deemed to be too long.
They said: "Furthermore, we advocate for the health and safety advice to be followed to prevent any other families from going through what we have. Benita, we are so proud of you. You will forever be in our hearts, always and forever for the rest of our lives. Shine bright like a diamond baby girl."
A Nottingham Trent University spokesperson said: “The university community was saddened to learn of the death of Benita, who was a popular and highly-valued student. We continue to offer support to our students who knew Benita or who are affected by this news. We again extend our condolences to her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.”
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