•  
•  
•  
•  
• e-mail 

26

View comments

A heartbreaking video shows a sorority girl who died after choking during a pancake-eating contest paying tribute to her father at a 9/11 memorial service at Ground Zero.

Caitlin Nelson, 20, died at a New York hospital on Sunday, just three days after she choked during a Greek life pancake-eating contest on Thursday.

The sorority girl's death comes as more tragedy for her family, as the Sacred Heart University student's father died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York City.

A video of the Clark, New Jersey, woman surfaced on Tuesday, showing Nelson paying tribute to her father James Nelson, a Port Authority police officer, in 2012, Inside Edition reported. 

She spoke to an audience at the annual memorial ceremony at Ground Zero and said: 'Daddy, mommy, Annie and I love you and miss you every day. Butterfly kisses always.'   

Scroll down for video 

 

 

+10

A video has surfaced of Caitlin Nelson, 20, paying tribute to her father at a 9/11 memorial service at Ground Zero in 2012 (pictured). Nelson died on Sunday after choking during a Greek life pancake-eating contest on Thursday at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut

 

 

+10

Nelson was five years old when her dad James Nelson, a Port Authority police officer, died in the 9/11 attacks in New York City 

 

 

+10

 

 

+10

 

Nelson, of Clark, New Jersey, was studying to be a social worker and was the vice president of her sorority, Kappa Delta 

Nelson was rushed to the hospital after the college student suddenly fell to the floor and started shaking uncontrollably after she had eaten about four or five pancakes.  

Two nursing students who were there immediately began lifesaving measures and were quickly joined by police officers and paramedics, according to reports. 

She was taken to a hospital in Bridgeport, Connecticut, in critical but stable condition and transferred on Friday to New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center, where she died on Sunday.  

Fairfield Police Lt. Bob Kalamaras said Nelson suffered from food allergies but that they did not contribute to her death.  

'It's a tragic event that started out as something fun,' said Fairfield police Lt. Bob Kalamaras. 'It was just a tragic accident.' 

 

 

+10

Witnesses say Nelson, far left, ate about four or five pancakes before she fell to the floor and started shaking uncontrollably 

 

 

+10

On Sunday, thousands took part in a candlelight vigil in Nelson's honor at the Fairfield, Connecticut campus 

Nelson was studying to be a social worker and was the vice president of her sorority, Kappa Delta.  

Several thousand people gathered on the Sacred Heart campus Sunday night to remember Nelson, a member of the Kappa Delta sorority, and share their grief. 

A Mass dedicated to her was followed by an impromptu candlelight vigil.

Nelson's father, James Nelson, was a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police officer killed in the September 11 attacks in Manhattan. 

The 40-year-old was killed while trying to rescue people trapped on the 27th floor of one of the towers. He also went into the smoking World Trade Center to rescue workers during the 1993 bombing, despite having asthma. His obituary said he was survived by two daughters, 11-year-old Anne and five-year-old Caitlin.

 

 

+10

Police say Nelson had food allergies but that they did not play a roll in her death. She's pictured above with a young man who appears to be her boyfriend 

 

 

+10

 

 

+10

 

Nelson was the vice president of her sorority, Kappa Delta. She was very active in the philanthropic side of Greek Life (far left and far right)

The Nelson sisters volunteered with the Resiliency Center of Newtown, helping survivors of the Sandy Hook School shooting deal with their losses.

Nelson was also involved with America's Camp, an annual retreat for children of 9/11 victims. 

The university's Facebook page was filled with remembrances of Nelson after her passing on Sunday.  

'Caitlin was one of the kindest and most thoughtful students I've been honored to teach,' one user named Karen Calabrese wrote. 'I'm heartbroken for her family and friends. Sending love and strength to her loved ones during this difficult time.'

Another woman, Carol Martufi, wrote: 'There are no words. My heart is broken over this tragic loss. Prayers to Caitlin, her family and friends and to the entire SHU family. May she RIP as she is reunited with her dad in heaven.'

Flags on the campus were flown at half-staff in Nelson's honor on Monday.  

 

 

+10

Members of Nelson's sorority are pictured above on Thursday, the day she choked at the pancake-eating competition