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"He was a pretty good dancer. Back in the day he used to do flips," said John Boxley, a friend of Stitt's who was among the crowd who watched the "battle dance" unfold Monday night. "It was a bunch of older guys dancing who thought they were still young."

When someone in the crowd pulled off a body flip, Stitt took off his shirt and decided to try it himself, Boxley said. He said the crowd of about 20 friends began chanting his name, egging him on.

"That amped him up a little bit," Boxley said.

But Stitt was no longer the young athletic man who graduated from New Britain High School 30 years ago. Now 48, he sprung up and pointed his head and shoulders toward the ground, police said.

Stitt hit the pavement face first. Boxley and others in the group rushed to his aid, and Boxley heard Stitt take three labored breaths. Soon, an ambulance arrived to take Stitt to the hospital.

Stitt was pronounced dead later Monday night. Police said the death appears accidental and most probably alcohol-related. An autopsy is being conducted.

NEW BRITAIN - A 48-year-old man died Monday night after what police said was a failed attempt to complete a forward flip while "battle dancing."

Robert Stitt, formerly of 100 Camp St., was dancing with a group of people in a parking lot at 234 North St. when he attempted the move hoping to outdo another dancer he was battling against, according to police.
Stitt tried to execute a front flip and landed on his head, police said.