BETHELEHEM, Pa. – A St. Luke’s University Hospital patient has died after he fell out of a sixth-floor window at the medical facility.
Jonathan Hanchick, 26, was admitted to the hospital in May after he was involved in a motorcycle accident. During his stay, he attempted to leave St. Luke’s at least twice, despite doctors’ advice, and was twice successful leaving the premises, The Morning Call reports.
On June 4, Hanchick broke through a locked hospital bathroom window and fell three stories. He died from injuries suffered in the fall on June 9.
Police determined that Hanchick was attempting to escape from the hospital and had not intended to harm himself.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health requires that windows must be restricted to inhibit possible escape or suicide.
The department also requires windows for psychiatric units to have laminated safety glass or safety screens to protect against the breaking of the window to be used to inflict harm. Windows in those units also must be designed and anchored to resist impacts from the inside.
