Notre Dame Student dies while filming practice
Twenty-year-old Declan Sullivan, a junior at the University of Notre Dame passed away at a South Bend, Indiana hospital today.
Sullivan, who was filming the Notre Dame Fighting Irish practice on Wednesday, had the hydraulic scissor lift in which he was filming from, blow over from strong wind gusts. According to a report from the
authorities investigating the scene, the scissor lift was extended to about 50 feet in the air and stretched across the street.
On Tuesday, the Fighting Irish practiced indoors at their training facility because of the blustery conditions in the Chicago area, with winds reaching speeds of up to 51 mph. It has been noted from Sullivan
that gusts on Wednesday had reached 60 mph. This message was sent by Sullivan on his twitter account:
"Gusts of wind up to 60 mph. Well today will be fun at work. I guess I've lived long enough."
The Fighting Irish football team, and indeed the school, feels extreme sorrow for the family and friends of Sullivan.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Declan's family and friends," Coach Brian Kelly said in a release. "Declan was a diligent student worker in our video department and had a tremendous personality and great
sense of humor. He brightened the days for all that had the privilege to work with him, and the Notre Dame football family will dearly miss him."
Notre Dame President and Reverend John Jenkins will be presiding over a special mass Thursday 28 October in honour of Sullivan and his grieving family.
"We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss," Jenkins said. "Our hearts go out to the student's family and friends and our prayers and profound sympathies are with them during this incredibly difficult time.
The loss of someone so young is a terrible shock and a great sadness. Our entire community shares in the family's grief."
Death seems to shake people at the core, even the strongest football players. Linebacker Brian Smith, who is a senior with the Fighting Irish had this to say from his Twitter page:
"In the midst of a season where you are disappointed with the outcomes ... you can lose sight of what's most important. Sad day at practice."
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