UW student dies in fall from dormitory balcony

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An 18-year-old college freshman died Friday night when he fell from a balcony of a University of Washington dormitory just before midnight.

Seattle Fire Department medics were unable to revive the student, Gary David Gilbert of Snohomish, who died of head injuries when he fell more than 100 feet from the balcony on the fourth-floor of McMahon Hall onto the concrete below.

Gilbert, a pre-engineering student, was a resident of the dorm, but it was not his balcony that he fell from, according to a number of students.

Richard Millard, a sophomore, said a friend of his saw what happened and told Millard that Gilbert had been hanging around with a dozen or so students in the room of two female students Friday night.

UW police would not say whether the fall was an accident or whether they expected to file any charges related to the death.

However, residents of the dorm, which houses about 1,200 students, said resident advisers handed out a memo yesterday morning that described the death as alcohol-related.

The UW prohibits the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus, according to the student guide. The exceptions are for functions at which state Liquor Control Board permits have been granted and in dorm rooms with the doors closed. In all cases, no one under 21 is permitted to drink.