'Caring' student falls to her death while sliding down bannister one and a half floors up at pre-drinks; Her family thanked the police and the hospital for the support but criticised the lack of communication from the university. (2024)

Byline: By, Rucsandra Moldoveanu & Chris Ballinger

The family of a student who fell to her death while sliding down a bannister during pre-drinks with friends have hit out at her university for not even sending them a letter of condolence. The inquest into the death of Benita Kaur Gill, 20, heard she was in a student flat before going out when she fell from one and a half floors up.

The Londoner, who had set up her own eyelash business which operated in Uxbridge and Slough, was studying marketing at Nottingham Trent University when the tragic incident happened. The inquest at Nottingham Council House on Wednesday May 15 heard evidence from DC Demi Robertson who described how Benita climbed on the bannister with her back facing outwards when she lost her balance and fell, with the incident captured on CCTV on March 29, 2023.

Benita was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre but died due to her injuries on March 31. Assistant coroner for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Sarah Wood told an inquest hearing that Benita's cause of death was "1a traumatic brain injury, caused by 1b fall, and 2b alcohol intoxication," as reported by MyLondon sister site Nottinghamshire live.

The inquest was attended by Benita's parents, brother and two of her friends. A statement was read in court on behalf of Benita's family by one of her friends. The statement said: "She was the most beautiful, caring, kind, warm-hearted girl, both inside and out, and her energy and smile would enlighten the room. We're blessed to have had her in our lives, but her time with us was cut short and we all miss her so much that we can't put it into words. We are left heartbroken and devastated."

They added Benita had just been offered a placement in West London and had set up an eyelash business in her first year of university. She intended to travel after graduation for a year, "to experience the world before hitting her career aspirations".

Coroner Wood said: "Benita and her two friends appeared to be having the best time laughing, singing and dancing as they walked down the stairs. They were taking photographs and videos of themselves to upload onto the social media platform TikTok.

"Benita then sat sideways on the bannister of the stairs and started to slide down it with her back facing the stairwell. I find that alcohol has contributed to decision making in doing so, which has ultimately led to her fall, causing a traumatic brain injury."

Benita was not holding her phone or being filmed at the time

Coroner Wood added that footage has shown that Benita was not holding her phone while sitting on the bannister, nor was she being filmed by her friends. No health and safety concerns were present at the time of the incident regarding the student accommodation, run by Unipol.

Following the incident, an independent health and safety review was carried out by the company, which resulted in a recommendation for a higher bannister reaching hip level to be installed. Coroner Wood said: "I note that this is a recommendation, not a requirement, and the staircase had passed all its recent inspections."

Finishing her conclusion, the coroner said: "I find that Benita's action of sitting on the handrail and subsequently sliding down it unexpectedly and unintentionally went tragically wrong. I wish to express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of Benita and I'm so very sorry for your loss."

Family's criticism of university

The family thanked the police and the hospital for the support but criticised the lack of communication from the university. They said: "We would like to express our disappointment with the university for the lack of communication with us, having not even received a letter of condolences.

"Furthermore, we advocate for the health and safety advice to be followed to prevent any other families from going through what we have. Benita, we are so proud of you. You will forever be in our hearts, always and forever for the rest of our lives. Shine bright like a diamond baby girl."

MyLondon sister site Nottinghamshire Live has approached Nottingham Trent University for comment.

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