21-year-old student dies after choking on chewing gum while sleeping

A 21-year-old student of the California University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, who was found unconscious in her hostel room, is believed to have choked on chewing gum in her sleep.

Shanice Clark, a communications studies student, was discovered unresponsive in her room around 3am local time on Sunday.

Clark was rushed to the where she later died.

Police say preliminary reports from a member of the hospital's medical staff suggest that the deceased inhaled a piece of chewing gum in her sleep and choked.

reports that Clark wanted to become a broadcaster, even though she was a talented athlete on a basketball scholarship.

Cleveland Clunis, who started coaching Clark since she was just 12-years-old, said the sky was the limit for her.

"I felt that even if she finished university, she could still continue on [with basketball] – maybe play overseas or something like that,” he reportedly said.

The late student's friend and teammate, Vayga Clunis, spoke well of her.

“She's the one clapping - always trying to encourage her teammates."

Other friends and well-wishers have taken to Twitter to pay their respects.

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