Matt RubinJunior Christie Norrick was rushed to Barnes-Jewish Hospital Tuesday after cracking her skull during the construction of the Pi Beta Phi/Theta Xi fa‡ade for the Thurtene Carnival.
“It was really painful,” said Norrick. “I had a cracked head and I am real bruised up now, but I’m doing okay.”
Norrick and a member of Theta Xi fraternity were standing on a two-story high balcony when an unidentified person moving an object stepped backwards into the beam that supported the unfinished balcony. As the beam broke, Norrick fell and hit her head on the parking lot cement in front of Brookings Hall. The other student working with Norrick managed to grab on to another beam against the wall of the fa‡ade to prevent falling.
“When she fell EST was on-site immediately,” said Thurtene Public Relations Director Felipe Macia, a junior. “There were lots of people there helping and lots of support from everyone. She never got dizzy or lost consciousness. She was a perfect patient.”
Norrick was taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital where she was treated for a cracked skull and bruising. She was released soon after and is still recovering from her injury.
Despite the accident, Norrick has not missed class or time at the Lot.
“I’m only taking one academic class as well as studio, and all my professors are really understanding,” said Norrick. “I have still been working at the Lot and I’m still going to help out-I’m just not going to do anything involving climbing.”
In response to the accident and raised safety concerns on the Lot, Macia and the rest of the Thurtene committee have taken the necessary steps to ensure that another accident does not occur.
“We have safety rules and regulations in place for a reason, so when people are not following them, accidents happen,” said Macia.
“That’s why we continue to push those building to follow these rules at all times. We contacted all the Overalls and cautioned them to be extra careful for the rest of the week.”
The Overalls-individuals chosen from within the respective fraternity or sorority that are responsible for coordinating the planning of Thurtene-oversee the construction and building of their respective fa‡ades.
“Thurtene is a great community event, but we don’t want this to put a damper on Thurtene. This stuff happens,” said Macia.
Thurtene will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in front of Brookings Hall.