A college student who father was killed while rescuing people in the September 11 attacks has died from choking during a pancake-eating competition.

Caitlin Nelson, from Clark, New Jersey, died at a New York City hospital on Sunday – three days after she took part in the contest at the Sacred Heart University, where she was studying social work.

Police say the 20-year-old started choking at the contest before two nursing students who were there immediately began lifesaving measures before being joined by police officers and paramedics.

View photos Caitlin Nelson died from choking during a pancake-eating contest (Facebook) More

View photos Caitlin’ father was killed during the 9/11 attacks in New York (Facebook) More

She was taken to a hospital in Bridgeport in critical but stable condition and transferred on Friday to New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Medical Center before she died two days later.

Fairfield police lieutenant Bob Kalamaras said: “It’s a tragic event that started out as something fun.

“It was just a tragic accident.”

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Caitlin’s father, James Nelson, 40, was a Port Authority of New York and New Jersey police officer who was killed in the September 11 attacks in Manhattan while trying to rescue people trapped in the World Trade Center.

Thousands of people gathered on the Sacred Heart campus Sunday night to remember Caitling, a member of the Kappa Delta sorority.

View photos

A Mass dedicated to her was followed by a candlelight vigil.





The school said in a statement: “’The SHU community is mourning today.

“We ask that during this time you give Caitlin’s family and the members of the SHU community privacy while they grieve.”

School officials said counselling services were being provided.

Caitlin volunteered at the Resiliency Center of Newtown, a nonprofit group that provides free counselling and other services to people affected by the 2012 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School that saw 20 children and six teachers killed by a lone gunman.

Top pic: Facebook