Student died in fall after night out at university
ACITY university student died in a suspected accident following a night out with friends, an inquest was told.
Joseph Derbisz was at the University of Birmingham a ‘Fab N Fresh’ night at the Guild of Students nightclub in Edgbaston when he became separated from his friends at about 3.30am.
The 21-year-old suffered a traumatic head injury after falling from height. A pathologist’s report also suggested acute alcohol intoxication.
His friends reported him missing and a West Midlands Police search was launched.
His body was found by a university security guard in an alleyway, between a plant room and car park about 100-metres away from the Guild, on March 28.
He was identified through identification on his body and photographs provided by his family, the hearing in Birmingham was told.
Mr Derbisz’s death prompted tributes for the popular student, who was studying engineering.
Many described the Coventry-born student from Tiverton Road, Selly Oak, as a “lovely lad”.
A crowdfunding page was also launched to cover costs of his funeral.
Birmingham and Solihull Assistant Coroner Ian Dreelan opened an inquest into the student’s death.
He told the hearing: “The rationale for opening an inquest in this matter is because it involves a suspected accident.
“Joseph was a student at the University of Birmingham where he was studying engineering.
On the evening of Saturday, 26 March, 2022, he went with friends to the Student Guild Student Union within the university campus.
“Around 3.30am (on March 27) the following morning,
Joseph left the Guild. He was reported missing at 5.43am later that morning. At 12.28pm on 28 March, a body was found by a security guard at the university.
“There has been a post-mortem examination conducted. Dr Trotter, a consultant pathologist, has provided a report.
“He says, in his opinion, the following cause of death is traumatic cerebral injury, and fall from a height and acute ethanol alcohol intoxication.”
Mr Dreelan added: “The scope of the inquest will be in the circumstances leading to the deceased’s death and cause of death. I offer my sincere condolences to the family for their loss at this time.”
Forthcoming evidence will include background information from his family, statements from police investigators, a manager from the student Guild, the HSE, and pathology.
A pre-inquest review is to take place in October, with the final hearing listed for two to three days from March 27, 2023.