Help not called for hours after PSU student falls down steps

A Penn State University student fell down some steps during a party at a fraternity house, and police say paramedics weren’t called until about 12 hours later.

State College police say sophomore Timothy Piazza died Saturday at Hershey Medical Center. He had been transferred there after being found unconscious at the bottom of the basement steps in the Beta Theta Pi house shortly before 11 a.m. Friday.

Police say Piazza reportedly fell down the steps about 11 p.m. Thursday, during a party.

Penn State has suspended the fraternity, which has also been put on a “cease and desist” order from the school’s Interfraternity Council and the fraternity’s national organization.

The cause of manner of Piazza’s death remains under investigation.

Police say the fraternity is cooperating, and investigators are obtaining unspecified video from the group.

Family and friends began posting to his Facebook page on Monday.

“On Saturday morning, I lost my other half,” Piazza’s brother Mike wrote. “Tim, I will miss you eternally. I am utterly devastated. My brother was my best friend. If I ever needed to talk or just wanted someone to joke around with, he was there. When the world was too much, I had one person who I could turn to for anything. He was the most vibrant person I knew, and his sole mission in life was to make other people smile. The impact he had on people is so astounding. He was incredible. There are things I wish I said and things I wish I did, but I know he knew how I felt and that I was so very proud of him. My job for the past 19 years has been to protect my younger brother. Now, I know he will protect me. I love you Timmy. Rest In peace.”