A 20-year-old gymnast has died after an unusual training accident at her university, according to reports.
“At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with Melanie’s family,” the school’s director of athletics, Jay Moran, said in a statement. “This has been devastating to her coaches and teammates and we hope to support them in this very difficult time.
“Melanie was a very bright student, an excellent athlete, and involved member of the Southern Connecticut community. The entire Southern athletics family is greatly saddened by her loss.
Head coach Mary Fredericks said the school is “heartbroken and stunned by Melanie’s passing.”
“She was an incredibly hard worker and a sweet-spirited young woman. Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to her family at this time. The SCSU Gymnastics team will miss her greatly though she will always be with us,” she said.
Thomas Alberti, Coleman’s former coach, told the Courant that she slipped off a gymnastics bar and suffered the fatal injury.
He called it “an unexpected accident with a tragic result.”
Alberti said he coached Melanie for 10 years, usually for four to five days per week.
Mayor Ben Blake also said her family has the city’s support.
“Melanie was a world-class athlete,” he said, reported the Post. “This is an absolute tragedy that is reverberating through the entire community. Our thoughts go out to the family during this difficult time. The whole community is devastated by this news.”
The organizer said, “Melanie Coleman, the best sister, daughter, cousin, friend and best friend ... Melanie and her family need your support. Tom and Sue Coleman have raised five compassionate, kind, and tenacious children. If you have had the experience and pleasure of being a part of the Coleman clan, please return the kindness that Sue and Tom have so generously given throughout their lives. Please send your love, best wishes, and support to the family. At this time, please also respect the family’s privacy.”