ITHACA, N.Y. — A 20-year-old man who fell off a balcony on Friday has died from his injuries.

Thomas Hilchey fell from the second-floor balcony at a home around 11:06 p.m. at 317 S. Cayuga St.

Ithaca police said they responded to the home and found him unconscious on the ground with injuries. Hilchey was then airlifted to Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania where he succumbed to his injuries.

Police have said that the fall initially appears to be accidental.

Duncan Hilchey, the young man’s father, confirmed that Thomas Hilchey died Sunday.  According to The Emory Wheel, “Hilchey was declared brain dead Sunday, and his body has been flown to Pittsburgh, Pa., for organ removal and donation, according to his father.”

Hilchey’s family is hosting an informal gathering at their home for friends and relatives from 4 – 7 p.m. Wednesday (June 7) at 295 Hook Place in Ithaca. They are asking that in lieu of flowers, people make donations to the Greater Ithaca Activities Center sports program, where Tom started and coached a soccer program while he was in high school.  Donations can be mailed to  301 W. Court St. and marked “In Honor of Tom Hilchey.” Checks should be made out to the “GIAC Youth Afterschool Program.”

A celebration of Tom’s life is being planned for later this summer. Details are pending.

Featured image courtesy of Facebook.

Jolene Almendarez is Managing Editor at The Ithaca Voice. She can be reached at jalmendarez@ithacavoice.com; you can learn more about her at the links in the top right of this box.