Wall Panel falls, cuts UHS student in USU bathroom

By Joshua D.Scroggin

A University High School student was treated for injuries suffered in an on-campus restroom while waiting for a 6 p.m. class Tuesday.

Sophomore Brady Dibble was using the restroom near the bowling alley in the University Student Union, when a metal access panel on the wall above his stall fell off and cut his hand.

“ I walked inside, blew my nose and looked at the open access panel,” Dibble said. “I fiddled with it to see if I could close it.”

After Dibble realized he couldn’t push the panel closed, he stopped touching it, and a few seconds later, the entire panel fell off the wall, he said.

“ It hit my hand and fell to the ground with a clamor,” Dibble said.

After unsuccessfully trying to replace the panel, Dibble said he realized he was bleeding and went to the bowling counter for help. When the employee at the counter said he was applying antiseptic spray to Dibble’s injuries on the top of his hand, Dibble fainted.

“ I just kind of passed out,” Dibble said. “When I woke up, the cops were coming.”

The employee said he was startled by Dibble’s unconsciousness and called for an ambulance.

Two paramedics, three campus police officers and university spokesman Tom Uribes responded to the call.

The employee said Dibble awoke less than a minute before he passed out, and Dibble pointed to a lack of nutrition as the cause of his collapse.

“ I guess I didn’t eat enough today,” Dibble said.

Dibble’s cuts were treated and he went to class. He said he didn’t know whom to blame for the accident, but said it was probably due to prior attempts to illegally open it.

“ I think somebody was fiddling with it,” Dibble said. “I’ve seen it open before.”