AUSTIN -- Police are investigating a death in West Campus.
They say 19-year-old University of Texas student Richard John Hollandfell from a fifth floor balcony and died overnight. Officers believe the fallto bean accident. It happened at the University Tower Block apartment complexon Pearl Streetnear 22nd Street.
Officers believeHolland leaned against the balcony railing of his fifth floor apartment unit, lost his balance, and fell over the side.
Several others who were with him at the time called 911 around 11:40 p.m. Monday.
Police, paramedics, and fire crews responded within minutes.
Paramedics transportedHolland to University Medical Center Brackenridge, where he died around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Word of the tragedy spread quickly throughout the complex, sending shock to other residents.
To hear it happen to someone above us, it's kind of like surreal almost, said student Julie Chen, who lives at the same complex. It's just not anything you would ever expect. Everybody has balconies like at home and stuff and you would think that it would be safe.
Students moved back onto campus a few weeks ago for the new semester.
Officers are investigating whether alcohol was involved and are interviewing witnesses who sawHolland fall.
The university offers a 24-hour grief and loss hotline for students. That number is 512-471-CALL (2255).
