ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Jurors in the wrongful death lawsuit of a University of Central Florida football player heard from a UCF football trainer on Thursday. Both sides have rested there case and closing arguments have started.

Ereck Plancher collapsed during a workout in 2008 and later died, and on Thursday morning, trainer Mary Vander Heiden said she was not in the UCF Nicholson Field House when it happened.

Thursday was the last day of witness testimony in the wrongful death trial. Attorneys for the UCF Athletics Association asked Vander Heiden questions about the day Plancher collapsed during an off-season football workout.

“Were you at the practice on March 18, 2008?” asked UCF attorney Kevin Taylor.

“No, I was not,” said Vander Heiden.

“Why not?” asked Taylor.

“I was inside my office. We were conducting interviews for student trainers,” she replied.

Plancher suffered from sickle cell trait and his parents are suing the UCF Athletics Association claiming negligence. Plancher’s parents said they think head football coach George O’Leary, his coaching staff and trainers could have done more to help save their son’s life.

Vander Heiden said she rushed to Plancher’s side, once she was told he needed help.

“The first time I saw Ereck was when I went from the athletic training room, and went down and saw him laying on a bench,” said Vander Heiden.

Vander Heiden said that when Plancher’s heart rate started to fade, she attempted to shock him with an automated external defibrillator, but the machine advised not to do it. She said she called 911 after that occurred.