A 20-year-old Caitlin Nelson died on Sunday, only three days after choking on pancake during the contest at the. The event took place on Thursday evening at the university’s Fairfield campus that was part of its annual Greek Week. About 100 people attended the competition and witnesses say that Nelson had eaten several pancakes when he started to choke and fell to the ground.
Nursing student was the first to notice Nelson in distress
The nursing student realized that Nelson is choking and immediately told others to call 911. When police officers arrived, Caitlin was not breathing.
“We, fortunately, able to had some officers doing traffic enforcement (nearby),” told Fairfield Police Chief Gary McNamara to the Connecticut Post.
Paramedics were able to clear the throat blockage in the ambulance on the way to St. Vincent’sMedical Center but it was too late because the lack of oxygen did to much damage already. She was taken to a hospital in Bridgeport in critical conditionand transferred on Friday to New York University Medical Center, where she died on Sunday.
Police say Nelson had food allergies but that they did not play a role in her death. Fairfield Lt. Robert Kalamaras reported that police were not aware of students using alcohol at the event. Her official cause of death remains unknown and will be confirmed by an autopsy.
Family tragedy
Nelson's father, James Nelson, was a brave policeman who was killed while trying to rescue people trapped in one of the towers in the 9/11 terrorist attack. Years later, Nelson volunteered to help survivors of the Sandy Hook School shooting and was also involved with America's Camp, and supporting children of 9/11 victims.
“It’s about positive change and about healing and helping. It’s about paying it forward”, she said to her home newspaper.
Sorority speaks out
Caitlin Nelson was the vice president of her Sorority and studied to be a social worker. Her friends will remember Caitlin as a good and caring friend, and professors as one of the kindest and most devoted students they have taught.
Her sorority wrote on social media, "Heaven has gained an incredibly selfless and beautiful angel today."
Thousands of students, staff, and faculty also paid tribute to Caitlin Nelson at a Mass service Sunday night. The speculation of her family's plans to donate her organs, makes her contribution and legacy even more appreciated.
