A 20-year-old Minnesota resident who was visiting friends at UW-Eau Claire died after sustaining injuries from a fall off the north side of the Water Street bridge Saturday, according to a police report.

Jacob A. Libby of North St. Paul, Minn., climbed over the railing around 2:38 a.m. as a joke, intending to catch himself before falling, the report said.

He was unable to catch himself and fell more than 35 feet onto the rocks of the riverbank, suffering multiple injuries. The report said Libby was treated at the scene and transported to Luther Hospital, 1221 Whipple St., where he died shortly after.

Prior to the accident, Libby had consumed alcohol, according to the report.

The accident remains under investigation.

Jodi Thesing-Ritter, associate dean of Student Development and Diversity, said that in order for students to be safe with alcohol, they have to be responsible.

“If they (students) drink too much, they need to be held accountable,” she said. “I don’t know how many incidents have to occur for students to realize that alcohol is a very serious thing.”

Libby, who was on leave after serving in Germany with the U.S. Air Force, traveled to Eau Claire with a friend to meet up with two students at the university, according to the report.

Thesing-Ritter said Counseling Services will be available for friends of Libby.

“(Counseling Services) wants students to know they’re available in any situation, especially during a tragedy like this.”

– Spectator staff