21-year-old student falls from eighth floor while jumping on a sofa, but survives the fall

A 21-year-old woman survived a serious fall from the window of an eighth-floor apartment in a building in Athens, Georgia.

Kristin Sargent, a senior studying finance and marketing at the University of Georgia, was at The Rambler complex on Saturday evening when the accident occurred.

According to the police report, the young woman was jumping on a sofa or mattress positioned near an open window. She passed through the window’s safety screen and then fell from the eighth floor, landing near the pool area.

Officer Erik Ellison said that evidence found at the scene suggested the student may have struck a metal bench during the fall. Part of its backrest had broken off, while blood stains were found on the cushion.

Witnesses said that a sun lounger may have partially cushioned her fall before she hit the ground.

Kristin’s father, Richard Sargent, said that his daughter was being treated in intensive care and had suffered several fractures, but that her condition was improving.

“She is fighting hard and will be okay,” he said, adding that the family considers itself extremely fortunate that she survived.

As soon as they were informed of the accident, the family set out from Virginia for Georgia.

According to police, the information gathered so far indicates that the incident was accidental, while the investigation continues.

Following the incident, the complex’s management reminded residents that the windows are equipped with safety mechanisms and asked them not to touch, remove or deactivate them. However, authorities have not yet confirmed whether the safety mechanism on the window from which the student fell was active at the time of the incident.

Meanwhile, friends and fellow students have sent Kristin dozens of messages wishing her a speedy recovery.