Days after waking up in a local detox center mysteriously paralyzed, a University of Denver (DU) student is now in "serious condition."
According to 9News, Denver Health released a statement about the student, who is only identified as an 18-year-old male. The hospital said his family has not permitted them to share any details beyond those given in the statement.
"The student in question is now in serious condition. This is a tremendously difficult circumstance and our hearts are with the patient and his family," Denver Health said. "We would caution the public about forming any conclusions about this situation and ask that (the family's) privacy be respected."
Will Jones, a spokesman for DU, previously told 9News the student was transported to Denver Health's detox center in one of their vehicles they use to pick up patients. Jones said the student entered his dorm room around 2 a.m. Sunday, apparently intoxicated but able to walk to the Denver Health vehicle on his own.
The student's family told DU on Tuesday their son woke up paralyzed.
"They got this student on his feet. They walked him out to the vehicle and they left the campus," the spokesman told 9News. "This student's parents reached out to the University of Denver wanting to know what had happened, because their son is now paralyzed.
"We don't know what happened between the time he left campus and where he is now."
Another DU spokesman, Ben Gerig, told the Denver Post the school is "taking this incident very seriously and helping the family any way we can."
Gerig said the family inquired about DU's protocol in getting help for intoxicated students, which he said was upheld in this case.
