The Rimbey teen who died on Monday after collapsing on the field during football practice has been identified as Corey Walsh.
The family of Walsh, 16, said they may make a statement today.
Walsh had an underlying medical condition known to family and Rimbey Junior Senior High School staff.
Posts on a Facebook memorial group for Walsh amounted to 343 members by Wednesday afternoon.
Walsh collapsed while running laps.
He received immediate medical attention from an on-site nurse and was taken to Rimbey Hospital, but died within an hour.
Members of the group painted a picture of a young man with a good sense of humour and the ability to make people smile and laugh.
“During that first practice, you got hit a few times and got back up and you still had a smile on and were laughing it was great, just kept going hard,” wrote one person on Facebook.
“I remember meeting you and getting to know you as a little fella at the bowling alley, you never had a problem helping me finish my french fries.
“I watched you grow into a fine young man,” wrote another.
Rimbey Mayor Dale Barr said Walsh’s death was devastating to the small community.
“You don’t expect anything like that to ever happen,” said Barr, who indirectly knew the family.
“It’s always a very difficult time.”
mgauk@www.reddeeradvocate.com