New documents say Clemson fraternity pledge forced to walk along narrow railing before death

PICKENS, S.C. – Court documents say a Clemson University student who was pledging for a fraternity had been forced to walk along a narrow bridge railing before falling to his death.

Local media outlets report that new court documents in a $25 million lawsuit filed by his family say Tucker Hipps was forced to walk along the railing before falling to his death in September.

An autopsy showed Hipps died from injuries consistent with having hit rocks in the shallow water near the end of a bridge over Lake Hartwell in South Carolina.

Hipps' family believes the university and the fraternity are to blame for the death.

The defendants deny responsibility and have blamed Hipps for his own death during an early morning run involving fraternity members and pledges.