Regarding Today's Accident

[Rack Em]

I don't mean to rehash old threads, but I believe the Notre Dame community should stay informed about today's tragic accident. I'll try to keep you all updated as things come out.

The student was junior Declan Sullivan. While I did not know him personally, I've heard only good things from those who did. There will be a Mass of Remembrance Thursday at 10pm in his honor.

As it did to everyone, this accident came as a complete surprise around campus. The response has been tremendous. Students have rallied to offer their thoughts, support, and prayers. I could not be prouder to be a part of this University right now. You all should feel the same way.

My regards, as well as yours I'm sure, go out to the Sullivan family. He's gone to be with the Lord now. Rest in God's peace Declan.

 

[IrishinSyria]

May he rest in peace. I will be up in South Bend this weekend and I will be lighting at least two candles, one for Mr. Sullivan and one for Acamp's niece.

 

[mgriff]

.

 

[TerryTate]

The legal issues will surface eventually. It's fine to speculate. But really guys, a Notre Dame student died today. Let's focus on that. We lost one of ours today. I'm not going to get into a religious thing, because I, personally, cannot do so, but let's try to act as an extension of the university and treat this matter with some respect.

 

[mgriff]

The legal issues will surface eventually. It's fine to speculate. But really guys, a Notre Dame student died today. Let's focus on that. We lost one of ours today. I'm not going to get into a religious thing, because I, personally, cannot do so, but let's try to act as an extension of the university and treat this matter with some respect.

I feel terrible for the young man and his family.

 

[Rack Em]

The legal issues will surface eventually. It's fine to speculate. But really guys, a Notre Dame student died today. Let's focus on that. We lost one of ours today. I'm not going to get into a religious thing, because I, personally, cannot do so, but let's try to act as an extension of the university and treat this matter with some respect.

Thank you Terry. I was just about to say that. Of course I thought about the legal ramifications of this, but this thread was for Declan.

The University students really do appreciate your support. It means a lot to all of us right now.

 

[TerryTate]

Thank you Terry. I was just about to say that. Of course I thought about the legal ramifications of this, but this thread was for Declan.

The University students really do appreciate your support. It means a lot to all of us right now.

I'm an alum my man. This runs much deeper than some petty crap on a forum. You have my support and what little I can offer as a brother. It's a tragedy. Let's all lend some support to those who are a part of this site or may read it in passing. The Notre Dame community is something that is irreplaceable.

 

[Irishpinoy]

Our deepest condolences to the Sullivan family and the Notre Dame community.
"May the peace which comes from the memories of love shared, comfort you now and in the days ahead. "

 

[dshans]

A tragic event. My thoughts and sympathies go out to his family and friends.

I hope that nothing of this sort happens again.

 

[Mr. McGibblets]

I re-read what I wrote in the original closed thread-- It may have sounded as if I was taking a shot at the kid for not having common sense-- I wasnt. I was angry at the lack of Supervision and their lack of common sense. Just wanted to clarify. I do not have any kids but can only imagine my parents grief if something like this were to happen to me or one of my brothers so suddenly. Prayers go out to his family.

When I think about life, it blows my mind about the number of ups and downs you can experience- not only a year but in 1 week or day. Just when you think you have misfortune, you see another person's misfortunes far greater that your own. As cliche as this sounds, life is precious

 

[Rocket89]

Just saw his story on the national news and they mentioned his facebook posting and twitter posts before and during his work....truly so sad.

My prayers go out to his family.

 

[ndcoltsfan2010]

How sad. I just heard about this on the news a few minutes ago. My heart and prayers go out to this young man, his family and his friends.

 

[irishnd31]

Thoughts and prayers out to the family. RIP kid and God Bless.

 

[dskoo65]

tragedy and negligence

tragedy and negligence

since the other thread got closed, i just had to get this off my chest. it is tragic for a young man to have lost his life due to complete negligence on the part of someone.

whoever was responsible for making the decision to have Declan Sullivan in that lift filming yesterday should be fired, without question. i am absolutely dumfounded. winds yesterday were well in excess of any safe levels, such that any reasonable person would never have considered putting anyone up there.

no doubt the university will be, and should be, held legally responsible.....and anyone stupid enough to have made that decision which directly lead to that students death should no longer be employed at ND.

and, yes, the focus should be on the tragic loss and sending thought and prayers to Declan Sullivan's family and friends.
i was just angry reading about this and had to get it off my chest.

 

[Old Man Mike]

In these tragedies, those of us of Faith can only offer our hearts and our prayers, and hope that the Spirit sends the strength to the family to struggle through. I can do nothing but offer some prayer, which I will do. -----------------------And Terry: bless you for the ban, but it was too short and you are too nice a guy. Your job is a hard one.

 

[A Pac]

poor kid. my prayers are with his family.

 

[irishff1014]

Sad news. NO one deserves to lose their son and daughter this young. My prayers are with his family and friends.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

This is terrible. A kid with such promise. If that were my son, I'd want whomever made that call prosecuted, complete negligence.

May all the angels protect you.

 

[Jerry]

I just don't see how they let him go up on that lift in those conditions???? I work in the insurance industry and there have been 50 - 80 ft trees being blown over all week. I feel awful for the family. This kid went to the same HS I graduated from so it hits home. But this should have been prevented. Tragic.

 

[NankerPhelge]

This is the type of unexplainable, horrible tragedy that tests even the strongest of faiths. May the Lord give this family peace and strength.

 

[IrishLax]

Did anyone read his tweets before the accident? They are absolutely chilling. Someone - or numerous people - completely dropped the ball on this.

Thoughts and prayers with the family.

 

[fitz_bu47]

Rest in Peace Declan, and my thoughts and prayers go out to all who knew him, especially his family. So tragic, and to think we worry so much about small stuff (like the GAME of football), stuff like this really puts things into perspective.

 

[]\/[GoBlue]

Did anyone read his tweets before the accident? They are absolutely chilling. Someone - or numerous people - completely dropped the ball on this.

Thoughts and prayers with the family.

For those that wish to read them the link is below. Very sad....


http://i.imgur.com/gELo5.jpg

 

[Riddickulous]

My thoughts prayers go out to Declan, his family and his friends.

Also a thousand curses upon whoever was moronic enough to let him up there.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

since the other thread got closed, i just had to get this off my chest. it is tragic for a young man to have lost his life due to complete negligence on the part of someone.

whoever was responsible for making the decision to have Declan Sullivan in that lift filming yesterday should be fired, without question. i am absolutely dumfounded. winds yesterday were well in excess of any safe levels, such that any reasonable person would never have considered putting anyone up there.

no doubt the university will be, and should be, held legally responsible.....and anyone stupid enough to have made that decision which directly lead to that students death should no longer be employed at ND.

and, yes, the focus should be on the tragic loss and sending thought and prayers to Declan Sullivan's family and friends.
i was just angry reading about this and had to get it off my chest.

I don't know that I necessarily agree. Both from a legal and moral standpoint. If Mr. Sullivian voiced his concern to an ND employee, who instructed him to enter the tower notwithstanding the wind, then I agree. Or, if Wednesday afternoon an ND employee specifically instructed him to film the team, then I also agree. But I'm wondering whether such employee exists. Given the area there may be adverse weather practice protocol that someone reviews, but there might not be. And it's likely Mr. Sullivan raised his safety concerns to a superior, but it's possible he didn't.

We also need to know the safety warnings of the lift from the manufacturer, how those are distributed to purchasers, and whether the lift had been in any other accidents at ND. (And if so, whether the individuals in charge of practice should have known about them).

The point here is that I think oftentimes when a tragedy occurs our natural inclination is to look from someone to blame, which is perfectly reasonable. But there's a real difference between looking for someone to blame and assuming someone is to blame.

 

[irishff1014]

From working in Construction i do believe that about 25 mph winds is the max

 

[mgriff]

There is a presser on right now addressing the issues, and they are about to get to causes of this tragic accident.

***Swarbrick said it was unremarkable (no wind) during his time at practice yesterday, and that first gust of wind is what caused the tower to fall***

***He also said that no conclusions have been arrived at, the investigation must run its course. It sounds, from his personal opinion, that it was the only gust of wind***

***They aren't committing to anything other than the investigation running its course. Swarbrick tried to downplay the wind with his opening remark, but it's apparent to anyone who listened, that there was a grave misjudgment by someone, which led to this young man losing his life. For solid conclusions, we'll have to wait until the investigation is finished, but by everything I've read, watched, and heard, there was gross negligence and the only question is who will ultimately be held responsible.***

 

[TerryTate]

Please keep the updates coming. I'm at work, and I can't listen in

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Media briefing will be streamed live on Web // News // Notre Dame News // University of Notre Dame

 

[Jason Pham]

There is a presser on right now addressing the issues, and they are about to get to causes of this tragic accident.

***Swarbrick said it was unremarkable (no wind) during his time at practice yesterday, and that first gust of wind is what caused the tower to fall***

***He also said that no conclusions have been arrived at, the investigation must run its course. It sounds, from his personal opinion, that it was the only gust of wind***

I find his remarks on the exceptional nature of the gusts to be disingenuous. It was a very windy last few days in South Bend and the county in which campus is located was put on tornado warning just the day before. In fact, yesterday afternoon before the accident, a professor I work for was stranded in Chicago because they wouldn't fly out to South Bend with the wind the way it was.