Intelligencer Journal/Lancaster New Era

F&M student collapses, dies
BY JENNIFER TODD, Staff Writer

The death of a Franklin & Marshall College student is under investigation after he collapsed and died at the school early Sunday.

Eric H. Phillips, 20, collapsed in the common area of a residence hall around 2:13 a.m., according to Cass Cliatt, F&M vice president of communications.

She said Phillips had been "hanging out" with a small group of students who quickly called the college's department of public safety.

Public safety officers and medical personnel responded but were unable to revive Phillips, according to Cliatt. He was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Cliatt declined to say in which of the college's dorms the incident occurred.

A cause of death wasn't known late Sunday. Lancaster city police said they are investigating Phillips' death.

Lancaster County Coroner Dr. Stephen Diamantoni said an autopsy is scheduled to be performed this morning.

"It's been a sad day, a difficult day," Cliatt said Sunday night. "Eric had a lot of friends, many of whom gathered at his residence hall today."

Phillips, a resident of Oakland, Calif., was a sophomore and hadn't declared a major, Cliatt said.

She said the college notified faculty and students via email Sunday of Phillips' death. On-call counselers were being made available.

Cliatt said the college plans to hold a service of remembrance in Phillips' honor later this week but a date hadn't been set Sunday night.

jtodd@lnpnews.com