Page 1 of 1

Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 8:52 am
by Special_Delivery_Smu_Fans
Notre Dame student filming practice dies in tower collapse

CBSSports.com wire reports
Oct. 27, 2010

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- A Notre Dame student died Wednesday after the tower from which he was filming football practice fell over.

Declan Sullivan, a 20-year-old junior from Long Grove, Ill., was transported from the LaBar practice complex to a South Bend hospital, where he died.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Declan's family and friends," coach Brian Kelly said in a release. "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."

Authorities were investigating the incident. The hydraulic scissor lift, which can be lowered or raised depending on needs, stretched across a nearby street.

Winds in the area were gusting to 51 mph at the time, according to the National Weather Service, and the team practiced indoors Tuesday because of the blustery conditions.

Notre Dame was making grief counselors available for students, and university president Rev. John Jenkins will preside over a special Mass in Sullivan's memory on Thursday.

"We are deeply saddened by this tragic loss," Jenkins said. "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."

The Fighting Irish, who host Tulsa this Saturday, canceled post-practice interviews after the accident.

"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," senior linebacker Brian Smith posted on his Twitter page. "I will never forget today."

Image

Image

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3bQcE9cevE&feature=player_embedded

Re: Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:13 am
by Dooby
This guy was tweeting or posting on facebook before it happened. Chilling stuff.

Re: Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:23 am
by WSGJ
I've read other accounts where the lift is not safe at winds at or above 25 mph. Sustained winds in the area were at 33 mph with gusts up to 60. Not only should Kelly be fired, he should be held responsible for this kid's death.

Re: Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:30 am
by RGV Pony
another argument in favor of an indoor practice facility.

Re: Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:46 am
by SMUnewbie
I have children that currently attend ND and are very close with some of the players on the team. Some saw what happened and are haunted by it. Plenty of prayers for the family and for all who have heavy hearts today...that being said, build the dang indoor facility. A heat stroke incidence would shake SMU in the same as this has in the 'Bend.

Re: Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 9:51 am
by SMUnewbie
One more thing, standing outside yesterday I can not believe anyone would think its a good idea to get film while standing high off the ground. Whoever sent that poor kid up there is going to have alot to deal with. Seriously, the wind around these parts was crazy strong ....... Not sure how much a head coach has to do with that decision. Anyone know?

Re: Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:00 am
by couch 'em
Everyone always wants to rush and blame someone for tragedies like this.

Did the coach know the wind rating of the tower? Probably not.
How many towers have collapsed like this? I don't remember any.

Sometimes bad things happen and it's not really anyone's fault.

Re: Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:16 am
by WSGJ
Normally I think Couch 'em is right... I respectfully disagree this time. This was not a stationary tower that collapsed, it was a mobile scissor lift. Anyone who has ever been on or around one of these on a construction site should know how dangerous they are. Just google scissor lift fatalities, and see how often this occurs.

Re: Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:26 am
by RednBlue11
Dooby wrote:This guy was tweeting or posting on facebook before it happened. Chilling stuff.



uhg...its way too soon, but there is so much good material to be gotten from that particular piece of information.

Re: Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:33 am
by couch 'em
WSGJ wrote:Normally I think Couch 'em is right... I respectfully disagree this time. This was not a stationary tower that collapsed, it was a mobile scissor lift. Anyone who has ever been on or around one of these on a construction site should know how dangerous they are. Just google scissor lift fatalities, and see how often this occurs.


Missed that part, ugh. I don't even like those things when there is no wind!

All I'm trying to say is people shouldn't automatically be pointing blame just because there is a tragedy.

Re: Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:40 am
by CalallenStang
Kid's Facebook page is all-telling. Won't post on here due to language (just Google search long enough and you'll find it). Whoever told the kid to get up on that lift needs to be implicated in the inevitable lawsuit.

Re: Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 10:53 am
by couch 'em
CalallenStang wrote:Kid's Facebook page is all-telling. Won't post on here due to language (just Google search long enough and you'll find it). Whoever told the kid to get up on that lift needs to be implicated in the inevitable lawsuit.


I recommend people not search for it. It is chilling. It will be interesting to see if he brought up his concern to anyone or if he just went up there and said nothing.

Re: Smu Film Crew Be Careful

PostPosted: Thu Oct 28, 2010 11:10 am
by WSGJ
Brian Kelly doesn't come across as a friendly fellow. The kid may have said something, or maybe was to scared to bring it up to anybody. In the end, it is up to the staff to be proactive and tell him not to go up there.

On the frog board, a former film staff member describes what TCU's guidelines were for filming practice in windy conditions. Bottom post...

http://www.killerfrogs.com/msgboard/index.php?showtopic=124186&st=0