EDUCATION & SCHOOLS

Utah Tech student dead after accidentally falling from balcony

Dec 4, 2022, 3:52 PM | Updated: 10:27 pm

ST. GEORGE, Utah — A freshman Utah Tech University student is dead after accidentally falling from a fifth-floor balcony early Sunday morning, according to the university and Utah Tech Police Department.

Interim Police Chief Ron Bridge said 18-year-old Peyton Hall, from South Jordan, fell 55 feet from the fifth-floor balcony at Campus View Suites II at approximately 2:30 a.m. while with roommates and friends.

He said the dorm is usually busy. Other students saw or heard the situation and aftermath after Hall fell into the center courtyard of what he described as a horseshoe-style building.

“As the student fell from the fifth story on the inside of the horseshoe, one of Utah Tech Police Department officers was actually on the south side, or the open side of the horseshoe, and quickly responded around to the other side of the building. He was there very, very quickly,” Bridge explained.

Even with first responders quickly on the scene, which included the Utah Tech Police Department, St. George Police Department, and Gold Cross Ambulance, Hall was unable to be revived and pronounced dead on the scene.

Bridge called the death a “tragic accident” and said he doesn’t believe there were other factors involved.

Utah Tech University Dean of Students and Assistant Vice President of Student Affairs Ali Threet said Sunday evening that Hall, who likely just started school in August, was active on campus. She said he met with his peer coach often, attended events, and visited the Writing Center.

“He did have those good connections with friends and roommates and several instances of seeing his academic advisor and seeing his peer coach,” Threet said.

Utah Tech has contacted Hall’s family. Threet said that as a university, their heart goes to his family and friends.

Bridge conveyed the same message.

“My condolences go out to the parents,” he said. “We are so very sorry for their loss, and obviously to the friends and the family, and the impacted students here on campus.”

The Campus View Suites II dorms included units with six rooms that shared common living and kitchen spaces. In addition to supporting Hall’s friends and roommates who were with him when he fell, Threet said they had a mobile crisis team respond and stay at the dorm building all day.

The crisis team plans to return to the dorm on Monday.

“I definitely think that it will affect a large amount of the students in some capacity, but that’s why we want to make sure that all of the students know that the faculty and staff are here for them, that we have our counseling staff on call and ready to meet with students,” she said.

KSL 5 TV Live

Education & Schools

Sign with raised letters for the Utah Education Association...

Larry D. Curtis

UEA board votes unanimously to oppose ballot measure that would change education funding

The Utah Education Association Board of Directors voted unanimously to oppose a November ballot measure that would amend Utah's Constitution and change how education is funded.

4 days ago

Bingham High School parent, Todd Johnson, said he received an email from the school at 7 p.m. Wedne...

Mary Culbertson and Debbie Worthen, KSL TV

Police: Online school shooting threat at Bingham High is not credible

An online threat of a school shooting circled in the South Jordan community on Wednesday. Police said the threat was not credible.

5 days ago

The University of Utah Science and Engineering Fair picked up again in March after not being fully ...

Mary Culbertson

U of U holds first fully in-person Science and Engineering Fair since 2019

The University of Utah held its first Science and Engineering Fair fully in-person since 2019, and recently announced the winners.

5 days ago

Police maintain a presence after responding to false threats of shots fired at Ogden High School in...

Daniel Woodruff

Schools hope new Utah law will deter ‘swatting’ calls

Schools are reacting to a new law taking aim at people who falsely report school shootings.

5 days ago

Consulting firm seeks feedback at public meetings on potential Alpine School District split options...

Andrew Adams

Consulting firm seeks feedback at public meetings this week on potential Alpine School District split options

As the Alpine School District mulls a potential split that could create one or two additional districts, a district-hired consultant briefed the public on six different potential options.

6 days ago

FILE - Fans arrive for an NCAA college football game against UAB at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the...

Mark Long, AP Sports Writer

NAACP urges student-athletes to reconsider Florida colleges after state eliminates DEI programs

The NAACP says Black student-athletes should reconsider attending public colleges and universities in Florida.

7 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Utah Tech student dead after accidentally falling from balcony