Notre Dame Student Dies: Latest Updates on the Declan Sullivan Investigation
Declan Sullivan's death is a terrible tragedy.
News continues to be released about what happened and how his family, friends and classmates are dealing with the sad loss of a very young man.
Inside are pieces of news that have recently broken.
What Happened?
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Sullivan contributed to the school's famous football program by filming the team's practices atop a hydraulic lift.
While filming at practice on Wednesday, 50-mile-per-hour winds swirled through the team's LaBar Practice Complex, and the lift collapsed. Sullivan fell to the ground, was rushed to South Bend's Memorial Hospital and died later that day.
The university is currently investigating what happened.
Who Was Declan Sullivan?
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Sullivan was a 20-year-old junior at Notre Dame.
He was from Long Grove, Illinois, and his younger sister, Gwyneth, was also a freshman at Notre Dame.
Sullivan Tweeted About Unsafe Conditions
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Roughly 90 minutes before he fell from the hydraulic lift, Sullivan posted a tweet that eerily foreshadowed his death.
At 3:22 p.m. Sullivan posted:
“Gust of wind up to 60mph well today will be fun at work… I guess I’ve lived long enough :-/.”
44 minutes later, he added:
“Holy f-ck holy f-ck this is terrifying.”
44 minutes after that, the tower collapsed.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Head Coach Brian Kelly's Sad Reaction
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Notre Dame's head football coach, Brian Kelly, released this statement, as posted by MSNBC.com, following the tragedy:
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to Declan’s family and friends. 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 Responds
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Notre Dame's president, Reverend John Jenkins, also released a statement to the press:
"We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss.... 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."
State of Indiana Investigating
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According to an SI.com article, the state of Indiana will be investigating the conditions in which Sullivan was working.
A spokesman for the state's workplace safety agency says that they sent an investigator to the campus to view the scene where the accident happened. But they have not yet commented on the accident or whatever the results of their investigation might lead to.
Will the NCAA Investigate?
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Although the university is investigating what happened, as is the state of Indiana, the NCAA might also look into the safety of people who film games and practices for college football teams.
New regulations and guidelines could (and perhaps should) be enacted as a result of Sullivan's tragic death.
Notre Dame Players React
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The team's post-practice press conference was understandably canceled after Sullivan's death, but the university president and head football coach released statements.
Senior linebacker Brian Smith also spoke about the tragedy on his Twitter page, according to FoxNews.com:
"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...I will never forget today."
From wide receiver John Goodman: "Some people don't realize how precious life is. Do NOT take it for granted. Do whatever u can to make the best of it every single day."
Several other Notre Dame players expressed sadness via Twitter, according to ChicagoBreakingSports.com:
Kapron Lewis-Moore: "Never take life for granted I hate that some times it takes something like this to realize this"
Barry Gallup, Jr.: "Can't sleep... Thinking about how I've seen a lot in my young life and wondering what the future has in store for me"
Lo Wood: "I guess some ppl will see now why they should be thankful to wake up n live another day n go back to sleep at night. Have a great day"
Ben Turk: "My thoughts and prayers go out to the Sullivan family"
Memorial Service to Be Held
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A Mass of Remembrance (a memorial service) for Sullivan is going to be held on Thursday at 10 p.m. at the university's Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
Notre Dame's president, Reverend John Jenkins, will lead the service.
What's Next for Notre Dame Football?
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Notre Dame football will try to continue on after the tragedy that befell the program and the entire university this week.
The 4-4 Fighting Irish, who lost last week to Navy after a three-game winning streak, host the Tulsa Golden Hurricane this Saturday afternoon at Notre Dame Stadium. The game starts at 2:30 and will be broadcast by NBC.
Home games against eighth-ranked Utah and Army remain before the season finale, the annual game against USC, this year at the Los Angeles Coliseum on November 27.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
