Several factors contributed to the death of Syracuse University senior Tracy Halpin, according to the medical examiner’s report given to Public Safety by the Onondaga County Medical Examiners’ Office.

Halpin, an accounting and finance major, died Saturday night around 8:45 p.m. from blood clots in her legs that moved up to her lungs. She also received a liver laceration from the fall she experienced when she passed out on Walnut Avenue at about 1:25 p.m. while coming back from Archbold Gymnasium, said Capt. Drew Buske of Public Safety.

She had been walking alone on the street, but as soon as she fell, members of a group of people walking in front of her came to her aid, Buske said.

Within a few minutes, SU Ambulance and Rural Metro Ambulance attendants were at the scene aiding Halpin, Buske said.

Observing students who were walking by later told Public Safety that while the emergency medical technician attendants were helping Halpin, she drifted in and out of consciousness, Buske said.

Between 1:30 and 2 p.m., the Rural Metro Ambulance attendants transported Halpin to nearby Crouse Hospital, Buske said.

At the hospital, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed on Halpin, Buske said.

While at the hospital, Halpin was put on life support, but when her parents came to Syracuse from Avon, they decided to take her off it, an SU official confirmed Sunday night.

Halpin’s death was ruled an accident by the Onondaga County medical examiner’s report, Buske said. He added, as he read from the report, that Halpin had a history of a deep vein condition that made her body more susceptible to forming blood clots.

Halpin’s funeral arrangements have been finalized in her hometown of Avon. Viewing times will be at Stevenson Dougherty Funeral Home on Wednesday, Jan. 25 from 2 to 4 p.m. and from 7 to 9 p.m.

St. Agnes Church will hold her funeral mass on Thursday, Jan. 26, at 9:30 a.m.

Halpin became the president of her accounting fraternity, Beta Alpha Psi, last year. Remembrance contributions are being accepted by the organization.

Published on January 23, 2006 at 12:00 pm