MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A 17-year-old Memphis high school student died after riding a roller coaster during a church youth group trip this weekend.
Caitlin Williams passed out after riding the coaster inside a restaurant called Incredible Pizza.
A church member administered CPR, but the girl was pronounced dead.
Pastor Shane McGivney said Williams died at the end of what was supposed to be a joyous occasion.
"We don't know exactly what happened, but apparently an underlying physical condition manifested itself, and she stopped breathing," McGivney said.
McGivney said church members do not believe that Williams’ death was connected to the roller coaster ride.
"We certainly don't know of any trauma or anything like that. As far as we know, she was not ejected from a ride or anything like that. She simply just, all of a sudden, slowed down. We don't anticipate anything that we know of, but we're waiting on the medical examiner’s report," McGivney said.
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For now, the pastor is trying to minister to the youths who were there.
"Our youth were right there within eyeshot of everything that was going on. It was very traumatic for them, and they are reminded of the brevity of life, how precious life really is, and it gives us an opportunity to love on them," McGivney said.
Church members said they do not know that a defibrillator would have saved Williams, but they would like to think that one would be on site to help in emergencies in the future.