UCSB Student Dies After Falling From Apartment

SANTA BARBARA (AP) — A University of California Santa Barbara student has died after she and a 22-year-old man fell together from a second-story apartment railing.

According to a broadcast report, alcohol may have been a factor in the fall that led to 22-year-old Melissa Portillo's death, but the incident appears to be accidental.

Portillo suffered blunt force trauma during the fall and was unresponsive afterwards, which occurred just before 1 a.m. at an Isla Vista apartment complex. She was rushed to Cottage Hospital but was pronounced dead a short time later.

Michel Kuster survived the fall, and was listed in stable condition, after complaining of head and back pain on the scene.

The Los Angeles Times reports Portillo is from L.A., and Kuster isn't a UCSB student.

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