A college student from Chicago's Northwest suburbs has died after the scissor lift he was on toppled over.
Declan Sullivan, a 20-year-old junior at the University of Notre Dame, was on the lift filming the Fighting Irish football team at the LaBar Practice Complex when the tower fell shortly before 5 p.m. Wednesday.
Sullivan was transported to Memorial Hospital in South Bend, Ind., where he later died.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Declan's family and friends," Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly said in a statement. "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."
"No words can convey the shock and grief we all are experiencing," said Rev. John Jenkins, Notre Dame's president. "Declan was a well-liked, bright and enthusiastic film and marketing student and a valued member of the Notre Dame family. His death is a tremendous loss that will be felt very deeply and we share in your grief during this incredibly difficult time."
Sullivan lists Long Grove, Ill., as his hometown on his Facebook profile. He graduated in 2008 from Carmel High School in Mundelein.
The cause of the accident is under investigation. Winds in the area were gusting to 51 mph at the time.
The University is making pastoral care and grief counseling available to students. A Mass of Remembrance has been scheduled for Thursday evening at 10 p.m. in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the university said on its website.
