Georgia student miraculously survives after falling 8 stories out of a window while dancing on a couch

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A University of Georgia senior is awake and talking in intensive care after suffering multiple broken bones in an eight-story fall from her Athens apartment.

Kristin Sargent, 21, fell from the eighth floor of Rambler Athens Apartments at 558 W. Broad Street Saturday around 7:30 p.m. after reportedly dancing on a couch near an open window, according to police.

Her father, Richard Sargent, declined to discuss the circumstances with WSB-TV, but said the fall happened after Georgia’s win over Oklahoma.

“The University of Georgia just won a football game. I bet there were a lot of kids here who were 21 years old who were super happy,” he said.

Kristin Sargent, who is studying finance and marketing, reportedly landed on the pool deck below the apartment, police said. The fall appeared to be accidental.

“When I arrived, the victim was on the ground near the pool, which at this complex is in a courtyard on the second floor of the building,” a report by Athens-Clarke County Police Sgt. Erik Ellison stated, according to NBC News.

“It appeared from the scene that the victim had struck a metal bench as she fell, as the cushion on the bench had some blood on it and the armrest of the bench had broken off.”

Despite breaking several bones, Kristin has been able to speak with friends and family about what happened.

“She was talking to one of her friends and saying, ‘Hey, I’m alive. I can’t believe it,’” her father told WSB-TV.

He said his daughter understands the seriousness of what happened and remains focused on recovering.

“She’s a good fighter, and so she’s going to be OK,” he said.

The fall has also prompted questions about the windows at The Rambler, a student apartment complex on West Broad Street. Management told residents that windows throughout the complex are equipped with safety limiters and reminded them not to tamper with, remove or disengage the devices, WSB-TV reports.

The apartment complex told 11Alive it is gathering information and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the incident.

“Our thoughts are with the resident and their family. We are grateful to learn they are receiving treatment. We are continuing to gather information and review the circumstances surrounding what occurred,” a Rambler spokesperson said.

The investigation into the fall remains ongoing.

The Independent has contacted the University of Georgia, Rambler Athens and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department for comment.