Mom Of Clark Girl Who Died In Pancake Eating Contest Sues College

CLARK, NJ — The mother of a Clark woman and student at the Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Conn. who tragically choked to death following a pancake-eating contest on campus last year is suing the school.

Caitlin Nelson, 20, choked while participating in an on-campus, school-sanctioned pancake-eating contest for charity on March 30, 2017, and died three days later. (See Related: Clark Woman Chokes To Death During Eating Contest At College)

Nelson is also the daughter of the 9/11 Port Authority victim James Nelson, whom the James Nelson Memorial Park is named after in Clark.

The family filed the lawsuit against Sacred Heart University on Monday and is seeking to raise awareness of the preventable dangers associated with amateur eating competitions, according to lawyers.

"Caitlin's family is bringing this case to expose the dangers associated with amateur eating contests and to help prevent other families from having to endure this type of preventable tragedy," Katie Mesner-Hage of Koskoff, Koskoff & Bieder, which represents the family, said in a statement. "These contests are significantly more dangerous than people realize and it's critically important for the public – especially educational institutions – to understand that certain foods are safer than others and a modicum of forethought can literally save lives."

The lawsuit claims that Sacred Heart not only approved the contest and the use of pancakes, which the complaint says is a particularly dangerous food to eat quickly, but it also failed to have medical personnel on-site in the event a student started choking.

"Moments after the contest began, Caitlin began struggling to breathe and police officers were called to provide emergency medical care," according to a news release. "Responding officers described finding a mass of pancake paste 'like concrete' in Caitlin's airway, which was impossible to dislodge. Caitlin passed away three days later."

Nelson planned to obtain a Master of Social Work upon graduating from Sacred Heart. Her goal was to become a licensed clinical social worker and work within the medical field, specifically with children suffering from serious illnesses, according to the release. Nelson also devoted her time to the Resiliency Center of Newtown, working with children affected by the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

A candlelight vigil for Nelson was held on the Sacred Heart campus on April 2, 2017.

Clark members had previously shared their condolences on a Facebook community group in 2017:

"Caitlyn Nelson and I were childhood friends growing up... she was the absolute sweetest girl I knew, who didn't have a mean bone in her body. Growing up she always had a smile on her face and was always so happy. She will now always be in my prayers and I will miss her greatly... rest in peace Caitlyn," said one poster.

"This Is Beyond A Tragedy ... What A Beautiful Young Lady Taken To Soon .... May She Rest In Peace," said another poster.

Her father, James Nelson, was killed at the age of 40 during the Sept. 11 attacks. He died while working at the scene to save others when the towers collapsed. He was the only Clark resident lost on Sept. 11.

"There have been several fatalities from amateur eating contests, many of which are caused by inexperience, inadequate safety measures and the use of unsafe foods," the news release states. "In fact, on the same day that Caitlin Nelson passed away, a 42-year-old man in Colorado died of 'asphyxia, due to obstruction of the airway' after trying to eat a half-pound donut in 80 seconds as part of a contest.

"As detailed in the Connecticut Superior Court complaint filed today, research has shown that certain foods such as ice cream and whipped cream present nearly zero risk of choking because the food will melt before it can obstruct a person's airway. In bringing the suit, the family seeks to increase awareness of how best to prevent fatalities caused by eating contests."

With reporting by Vincent Salzo (Patch Staff)

(Image via YouTube)

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