He was discovered by Campus Watch staff lying alone on the ground at about 12.10am this morning, Constable Eli Stafford-Rogers said.
The young man fell from the Centre for Innovation building near the intersection of Cumberland and Saint David Sts.
Const Stafford-Rogers said Campus Watch staff reviewed nearby CCTV footage which showed the young man, falling from a ‘‘decent height’’.
Investigations found a wine bottle sitting on top of a ledge about seven to ten metres above the ground — it is believed that was where the man fell from.
‘‘Attending police said there looked to be no access points from the building to the ledge leading to the possibility that male has climbed up the exterior of the building to the ledge he fell from,’’ Const Stafford-Rogers said.
Officers made inquiries and spoke to a group of students at a nearby flat who told officers they had been drinking when the young man left the property alone.
‘‘This incident is not a one off.
‘‘Unfortunately, alcohol messes with your judgement, balance and coordination — please don't climb buildings when you're drinking, one decision can change everything.’’
University of Otago vice-chancellor Grant Robertson said campus watch staff acted quickly after discovering the person and immediately contacted emergency services.
‘‘Staff are continuing to work closely with police and providing assistance where possible.
"As this is a police investigation we are unable to provide any further details about the incident.’’
Mr Robertson said he could not stress enough the importance of staying off roofs.
‘‘The tragic outcomes of that are well-known, and we do not want anyone, or their friends and whānau, to experience that.’’
In September last year talented young Southland rugby player Jayden Broome suffered a head injury when he fell from the roof of a two-storey flat in Castle St.
He was placed in a medically induced coma, suffering a head injury, broken ribs, collapsed lung and other fractures, and woke the next month in October.
Mr Robertson said the University provided practical information on personal safety, property security, safe behaviour in two-storey flats, and avoiding climbing on roofs.
Campus watch had already started their regular outreach which covered those topics in the North Dunedin area.
