Mother killed in fall from UNC dorm bunk

The mother of a first-year University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill student fell from a dorm bunk bed in late August, hit her head and died, according to the News & Observer.

Donna Sykes, 49, was visiting her daughter, Jesse, 19, who had just transferred from a community college. Jesse Sykes has cerebral palsy and does not have a roommate, so her mother stayed with her to help her adjust to college life, the News & Observer reported.

Jesse Sykes told the Rocky Mount Telegram that she had a special bond with her mother: "We were together all the time. If we had a problem, we'd discuss it. We'd compromise. Sometimes she'd win. Sometimes I'd win."

Since the fatal fall, the university has seen a spike in requests for bedrails. Some schools require the installment of safety rails on bunks, unless a student signs a waiver.

To read the full News & Observer article, click here.

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