Undergraduate falls climbing in chapel north turret, injures leg

University student Alexandra Shaw '02 fell yesterday while climbing inside the University Chapel near the builiding's north turret, Princeton Fire and Rescue Squad Chief Gregg Paulson said.

Shaw, accompanied by a male student, was climbing up a spiral staircase and ladder inside the north turret shortly before 10 p.m. when she fell aproximately 20 feet, said a witness and friend of Shaw.

The male student did not sustain any injuries, officials said.

Princeton Fire officials were unable to confirm the extent of the injuries yesterday but said Shaw was conscious, had likely broken a leg and was immobilized as a precaution.

Princeton Fire and Rescue received the call at 9:56 p.m. and responded immediately, Paulson said.

"When we saw what kind of injuries she had sustained and the situation, we called in additional units," Paulson said. Princeton Fire then activated a response team that included several fire departments and rescue squads from neighboring communities in addition to county officials.

Shaw was removed from the chapel on a stretcher. She was brought down from an outside landing half-way up the chapel turret by two firemen in the bucket of a Princeton Fire Hook and Ladder vehicle.

She was taken by ambulance to the Trenton Trauma Center, where she will be evaluated and treated further, Paulson said.