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Girl dies after being stricken at teen camp
Camper had history of heart trouble
By SEAN F. DRISCOLL
[email protected]
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An 18-year-old Geneva woman with a recent history of heart trouble died Thursday afternoon after collapsing at a church camp in Fairmount.
Sarah J. Chaffins, 4451 E. 1000S, Geneva, died at 1:24 p.m. Thursday in Marion General Hospital. She was attending the Indiana North Senior Teen Camp at the Wesleyan Campgrounds in Fairmount. She collapsed at about 11:30 a.m. while in a small group, conversational setting with other campers.
Grant County Deputy Coroner Kevin Evans said the cause of death was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the electrical impulses to heart muscles are abnormal, thus disrupting the heartbeat.
Evans said Chaffins had been aware of the condition before attending camp.
"A couple of weeks ago, she did see a family physician about heart problems," he said.
Camp director Pastor Rick Fletcher said professional counselors were brought to the campgrounds to help the campers deal with their emotions.
But the camp, described by Fletcher as a week-long experience for teenagers to have fellowship, build relationships and learn about Christ, continued to be in session Friday, and will conclude this morning.
"Kids were emotional about the situation because it was their friend," Fletcher said. "But the camp has a spiritual emphasis. When you put it in the context that we're convinced of where she's at, we know the Lord has just taken her."
Originally published Saturday, July 12, 2003
Camper had history of heart trouble
By SEAN F. DRISCOLL
[email protected]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
An 18-year-old Geneva woman with a recent history of heart trouble died Thursday afternoon after collapsing at a church camp in Fairmount.
Sarah J. Chaffins, 4451 E. 1000S, Geneva, died at 1:24 p.m. Thursday in Marion General Hospital. She was attending the Indiana North Senior Teen Camp at the Wesleyan Campgrounds in Fairmount. She collapsed at about 11:30 a.m. while in a small group, conversational setting with other campers.
Grant County Deputy Coroner Kevin Evans said the cause of death was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition in which the electrical impulses to heart muscles are abnormal, thus disrupting the heartbeat.
Evans said Chaffins had been aware of the condition before attending camp.
"A couple of weeks ago, she did see a family physician about heart problems," he said.
Camp director Pastor Rick Fletcher said professional counselors were brought to the campgrounds to help the campers deal with their emotions.
But the camp, described by Fletcher as a week-long experience for teenagers to have fellowship, build relationships and learn about Christ, continued to be in session Friday, and will conclude this morning.
"Kids were emotional about the situation because it was their friend," Fletcher said. "But the camp has a spiritual emphasis. When you put it in the context that we're convinced of where she's at, we know the Lord has just taken her."
Originally published Saturday, July 12, 2003
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