Exchange student falls from balcony in Italy

By Anna Douglas

Carey Morton’s Facebook page photoA Winthrop student studying abroad in Italy is hospitalized after falling nearly 40 feet from an apartment balcony last week.

Carey Morton, a 22-year-old art major, was attempting to enter a nearby apartment by a window, according to an Italian news Web site.

Carey’s sister Kayla, 26, spoke with The Johnsonian last week and conveyed information on her brother’s behalf.

“I was climbing from one window to the next and made it, but I didn’t make it back. I’m very lucky to be alive,” Carey said.

Italian newspapers are reporting that Carey had consumed alcohol the night he fell. Carey said the Italian newspapers are “bogus” and never spoke to anyone involved. “They just made assumptions,” Carey said.

NotiziarioItaliano, an Italian newspaper, reported this week that Carey had fractures in his legs and back.

Carey is enrolled at the Florence University of the Arts while abroad. There are currently seven other Winthrop students in Italy, said Angie Edwards, director of Winthrop’s International Center.

Edwards said she could not comment on Carey’s case specifically. Winthrop provides
information on health and safety while abroad before students leave Winthrop, Edwards said.

“As with any experience, domestic or abroad, we can’t control everything around us, so we try to raise students’ awareness of potential risks and how to mitigate those risks,” she said. “Additionally, we require that all students have international health insurance that covers them for the duration of their program, should a situation arise in which medical care is necessary.”

Edwards did not comment on whether Carey would still receive course credit for the time he has already spent abroad.

His sister said, however, Carey might be home as early as this week.

“Carey is doing very well and is expected to make a full recovery,” Kayla said.