A 20-year-old Nottingham Trent University student, Benita Kaur Gill, died after falling from a bannister during pre-drinks at a student flat in Old Market Square, Nottingham, on March 29 of last year. The incident occurred around 9.55pm as Benita was leaving the flat to attend an event scheduled for 10pm.
Benita, a marketing student, fell one and a half floors after climbing onto the bannister. The inquest determined her cause of death was a 'traumatic brain injury' exacerbated by alcohol intoxication. The fall was captured on CCTV, with evidence presented by DC Demi Robertson at a hearing in Nottingham Council House on Wednesday.
The police were contacted by EMAS at 10.15pm on the night of the incident, and an investigative scene was maintained until around 11am the next day. Benita succumbed to her injuries at Queen's Medical Centre on March 31.
Assistant coroner Sarah Wood noted that Benita's actions, influenced by alcohol, led to her accidental fall. Following the event, an independent health and safety review by Unipol—the company managing the accommodation—resulted in a recommendation to install higher bannisters, though existing safety measures had met regulatory standards.
Benita's family attended the hearing and expressed their grief through a statement read by a friend. They described her as a beautiful, caring individual with bright future aspirations, including a placement in West London and plans to travel post-graduation. The family also expressed disappointment in the university's delayed communication following her death.
Nottingham Trent University issued a statement expressing condolences and indicating their ongoing support for students affected by the tragedy.