University of Iowa student who fell from light pole dies

IOWA CITY - Friends and family - including the 'Hawkeye family” -- on Tuesday mourned the loss of Kyle R. Leeney, a 21-year-old University of Iowa student who died after falling from a light pole last week during a celebration of the Chicago Cubs' World Series victory.

Leeney, who UI officials said was a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering, was hospitalized early Nov. 3 after witnesses said he climbed a light pole outside DC's Sports Bar on the Ped Mall and fell. Iowa City police Sgt. Scott Gaarde said officers at 12:07 a.m. responded to commotion in the area where many were celebrating the Cubs' win over the Cleveland Indians.

A video of the incident posted to social media appears to show Leeney climbing the pole, a light on the pole breaking, and Leeney falling to the ground.

Johnson County Medical Examiner's Office Administrator Mike Hensch said Leeney died Monday afternoon at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The cause of death was determined to be blunt force craniocerebral injuries, Hensch said.

Leeney, according to his Facebook page, is from Lockport, Ill., a Chicago suburb.

In a statement sent to UI students Monday evening, UI Dean of Students Lyn Redington expressed sadness in reporting the loss of Leeney and offered condolences to his friends and family.

'Losing a fellow student and member of our university can be very difficult,” Redington said in the statement, which provided resources for those needing support or counseling services. 'During this time, we are reminded of the importance of community and accepting emotional support.”

A friend on Monday set up a GoFundMe.com page to help the Leeney family.

'Though they have never asked us of anything, we are trying to lighten the financial burden that came partnered with the loss of their son,” according to the page, which indicates Leeney went by 'Kanye Leen” and left behind two loving parents, three siblings, 'and an uncountable amount of friends.”

Leeney's parents, according to the page, 'raised the most loving man any parent could hope for.”

'Kyle impacted everyone's life that he encountered in only the most positive way with his larger than life personality, contagious smile, and crave for adventure. There was never a dull moment with Kyle around.”

The page's creator indicated Leeney was part of a group of friends that called itself, 'The NH.”

'Of our sixteen years of friendship, this is the hardest thing we have encountered. Please help our best friend's family in this time of need.”

The site, as of Tuesday afternoon, had raised more than $3,000.