A Grade 9 Rimbey student collapsed during a high school football practice and died later in hospital on Monday, a Wolf Creek School District official said on Tuesday.
Wanda Christensen, assistant superintendent with the district, said a youth — now identified as 15-year-old Corey Walsh — died in Rimbey Hospital after he collapsed on the football field during a drill at spring practice.
“He was one of 30 people doing their first practice for football.
“This young man had a medical condition.”
She said the family knew about the condition.
Christensen said the coach asked the players to run a couple of laps before the youth passed out.
“This is kind of a normal procedure for warm-up. He proceeded to do that, then passed away,” Christensen said.
She said the youth had immediate medical attention since a nurse was on site.
“They got him to hospital very quickly by ambulance and he passed away within an hour,” she added.
A crisis response team reacted quickly and attended the school on Tuesday with six counsellors.
Two victim services people from Rimbey also attended the school and were joined by two members from Ponoka.
“We had lots of support for the kids and staff,” she said.
jwilson@www.reddeeradvocate.com