Tragedy Strikes at University Charity Event
A seemingly harmless university fundraiser ended in unimaginable tragedy for one American family, marking their second devastating loss in less than two decades. Caitlin Nelson, a 20-year-old social work student, died after participating in a pancake-eating contest at Connecticut's Sacred Heart University on March 30, 2017.
The Fatal Incident and Its Aftermath
Witnesses reported that Caitlin, a dedicated student and volunteer, quickly consumed several pancakes during the contest organised by her sorority for the Prevent Child Abuse America charity. Shortly after, she began shaking uncontrollably and collapsed. Police found her unresponsive and not breathing. She was rushed to Columbia Medical Center in New York, where she died three days later.
Fairfield Police Chief Gary MacNamara stated, “The lack of oxygen for that extended period of time caused irreversible damage, making it not survivable.” Although Caitlin had known food allergies, the coroner ruled the cause of death as choking.
A subsequent wrongful death lawsuit filed by her mother, Rosanne Nelson, revealed that the university had approved the event despite concerns being raised about the dangers of rapidly eating thick pancakes.
A Family's Double Tragedy
The incident was a cruel echo of a previous family heartbreak. Caitlin's father, Port Authority officer James Nelson, was killed while helping people escape the World Trade Center during the 9/11 terror attacks in 2001. He was guiding evacuees from the 27th floor of the South Tower when it collapsed. Caitlin was just five years old at the time.
A eulogy for James noted his passion for his job and his profound love for his family. In a tragic parallel, his daughter was also described as a hero in her own right. A friend called her a “beautiful human being,” and she balanced her studies with volunteering to mentor children affected by the Sandy Hook school shootings.
Robert Egbert, spokesman for the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association, reflected on the family's ordeal: “Jimmy’s last moments alive were spent helping people. Caitlin dying is another tragedy but it appears that she took the tragedy of what happened with her father and used that to help others.”
Stephanie Cinque of Sandy Hook Promise added, “Caitlin always offered an extra hand. She touched the lives of so many and always did with such love.” Thousands attended an on-campus vigil in her memory.
Rosanne Nelson eventually dropped the wrongful death lawsuit against the university in 2020 after a settlement was reached. Neither the family's lawyers nor the university have commented publicly on the matter.
