An 11th-grade Randallstown High School student died Wednesday after collapsing during football practice due to a medical emergency.
At around 6 pm on Tuesday, the county police were called to the school for a medical emergency involving a 16-year-old student.
A spokesperson for Baltimore County Public Schools, Gboyinde Onijala, said that an athletic trainer was present when the incident occurred and that “staff on site did immediately begin to administer help until emergency medical services personnel responded,” according to Baltimore Banner.
Michael Jones, the principal at Randallstown, did not name the student who died and would not release further details on the circumstances of his passing.
Jones wrote a letter to parents and the community regarding the incident.
Below is the excerpt of the email sent to parents, WBALTV reported:
“It is with profound sadness that I inform you of the death of a Randallstown High School grade 11 student. The student experienced a medical emergency and was transported to the hospital where he later passed away. We are absolutely devastated by this news.
“Today, Wednesday, Sept. 7, members of the Baltimore County Public Schools Traumatic Loss Team will be at our school to provide support and counseling for students and staff. Should your student find that he/she needs additional resources, or if you have questions about how to approach your child about this news, please do not hesitate to call our school counselors at 443-809-4107.
“We encourage you to take time this evening to discuss with your child(ren) about this loss. I have attached resources with this letter that may help with those conversations.
“For those of you who did not know the student we ask that you understand our sadness and join us in keeping the family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.
“Our school community extends our deepest sympathies to the family. With the family’s permission we will share additional information as it becomes available.”
According to reports, an autopsy will be conducted by the medical examiner’s office in Maryland.
At least three teenagers, including as young as 14 years old, have died in the Baltimore area in the past week, CBS News reported.