Rebecca Kim an 18 year old Temple University student has died after plummeting from an eight floor dorm room while taking pictures with her cell phone. Critically injured was a 44 year old pedestrian Kim landed on, breaking the woman’s back and her teeth.
At the time of the incident, the pre-pharmacy student from Edison, New Jersey, was visiting friends at the Art Institute of Philadelphia in Center City on Thursday evening when she slipped and fell.
Authorities say the first year student, who graduated from Wissahickon High in Ambler, Pennsylvania, in August, may have been sitting on a two-foot wide ledge in the moments leading up to her fall.
As she plummeted towards the sidewalk, Rebecca Kim would land on a pedestrian who was walking below, critically injuring the woman.
Told Philadelphia Chief Inspector Scott Small via CBS Philadelphia: ‘She may have even been sitting on the ledge, it’s about a two foot wide ledge possibly taking some pictures,’
Kim would be pronounced dead upon her arrival at Jefferson University Hospital.
The other victim was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital, where she was listed in stable condition Thursday night.
Reiterated Inspector Small: ‘The 44-year-old female, she was conscious, she was talking, she was very upset and she was complaining of pain.’
The injured pedestrian suffered a fractured vertebrae and had some teeth knocked out, but was expected to recover. At the time the injured woman was walking along a high traffic pedestrian block.
Cops would later told one of the dorm residents had asked Kim to back inside after climbing on the ledge. Soon after the student would soon fall to her death.
Since the tragedy, cops have told that intend to obtain a warrant to search the dorm room of the two men the teen was visiting.
Neither foul play nor suicide were suspected, though officials said the investigation was ongoing.
Temple University president Neil D. Theobold said: ‘It is with great sadness that I inform you of the death of Rebecca Kim, a first-year student in the College of Science and Technology.
‘Ms. Kim died Thursday evening in a fall from a Center City building. Ms. Kim started at Temple last August, was a resident of Johnson Hall and was enrolled in the pre-pharmacy program. She was 18 years old. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family and friends.’
He added that counseling would be available to all students on campus.
After hearing news of her death, a number of Rebecca Kim’s friends paid tribute to her on social media.
Wrote one user: ‘A girl from my social studies class and student at temple passed away. Send prayers to her family RIP Rebecca Kim.’
James Hong added: ‘Prayers are going out tonight. Rest in peace Rebecca Kim, you will be missed.’
Lyn Fields, the principle of Miss Kim’s previous school, Wissahickon High in Ambler, Pennsylvania, would describe Kim as an excellent student with a passion for math and science who took Advanced Placement and honors courses. Kim was on the indoor track team and a member of the math and key clubs, as well as the National Honor Society, among other activities.
Reiterated the principle via Philly Voice: ‘The senior that we knew was very involved and just a great kid. Super student.’
‘She just kind of loved life. This staff is very upset.’
Authorities have since said the investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
