Ohio Women's Soccer Player Dies In Fall From Hilton Head Balcony

Sarah Merritt fell about 60 feet when climbing from balcony of one room to another

March 22, 2007

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. (AP) - A 20-year-old Ohio University women's soccer player on spring break fell from a fifth-floor balcony at her hotel and died.

Witnesses told authorities that Sarah Merritt was climbing from the balcony of one room to another at the Comfort Inn & Suites when she fell about 60 feet Wednesday, Beaufort County sheriff's Capt. Bob Bromage said.

An autopsy was scheduled for Thursday in Charleston.

Merritt, a senior from Tipp City, Ohio, was staying with college friends at the hotel, authorities said.

A forward, she had two assists while playing all 19 games last season.