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Declan Sullivan Tweeted He'd 'Lived Long Enough' Before He Died

by Amy Judd | October 28, 2010 at 11:16 am

1815 views | 1 Recommendation | 6 comments

Declan Sullivan, the Student Filming at Notre Dame Who Died on Wednesday, Tweeted He Was Scared Shortly Before His Death

Declan Sullivan could not have known that his final tweets would cast an eerie light over Wednesday's events and the sad circumstances surrounding his death.

His Twitter account is locked down but according to CBS, Sullivan tweeted at around 3:22pm when practice was just starting "Gusts of wind up to 60 mph. Well today will be fun at work. I guess I've lived long enough."

Clearly he was joking and being sarcastic, but after his death it casts a grim premonition over the events about an hour and a half away.

At 4:04pm, Sullivan tweeted "Holy shit. Holy shit. This is terrifying."

About 45 minutes later, the tower collapsed and Sullivan had to be rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The day before, [Peter] Byrne [of CBS affiliate WSBT] notes, under similar conditions, the team practiced indoors. Notre Dame didn't comment about the switch to the outdoor field, even though South Bend was under a wind advisory at the time.

The incident is now under investigation and it will have to be determined why it was considered safe enough for Declan to be up on a scissor lift in such high winds.

A memorial was held for him at Notre Dame on Wednesday night.

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David Stewart (not verified)

at 13:00 on October 28th, 2010

They made a small mistake, and they're sorry. It won't happen again.Football is clearly the most important thing here, and how could they hold a practice without someone on a crane to video tape it? There is so much riding on a football game, that they could not leave anything to chance.And I'm so glad they've decided to not cancel the game, just because of a minor event like this. It would not be fair, given all the money involved. The only thing more important than a football game, is the $$$$$$ that goes along with it.I await hearing in the final report, how it was merely an unfortunate and unforseen accident, that the university has little blame in.

D Ray (not verified)

at 14:20 on October 28th, 2010

I'm really hoping that your comment is sarcastic, David Stewart. Even if it is, it's not funny. At all.

Josh Brock (not verified)

at 14:41 on October 28th, 2010

David Stewart you will be hearing from lawyers of the family you stupid piece of shit. I hope you fucking choke on your words and die. You will heavily regret the comments you made. I pray for great consequences on your life and those you love.

Jason Thomas (not verified)

at 16:21 on October 28th, 2010

Wow, David Stewart was clearly not meaning what he said, chill out.

Francis Gregory (not verified)

at 17:24 on October 29th, 2010

Clearly David Stewart obviously has his head up his rearend like he did when he was pitching for the Oakland Athletics in 1991 and carried an ERA of 5.18 but seriously...should we pray for great consequences for those who are close to him? I truly find this to be more than a "small mistake!" This is ludicrous in a sense that the team obviously should not have been practicing outside under those conditions! I mean the entire Midwest was under a wind advisory. It is one thing for the players to be outside practicing at ground level but shit.... And then to think that sending a student up a 50' scissor lift to film practice was a good idea! The conditions were so miserable that I don't think that the coaches would have benefitted from watching film of that days practice anyway. What could they possibly have gained from a practice where everyone is struggling to stay on their feet and Kicks, punts and throws are flying all over the place. Quarterbacks are throwing ducks, Halfbacks are running in place and the waterboy can't seem to keep the water jug from blowing off the table! It is simple, the blame obviously rests on the coaching staff and mainly Brian Kelly! It is simple, he should have known better! It continues to be a sad day for Football in South Bend!