|
|
|
A Gurdon football player who collapsed during football practice Tuesday afternoon died later at a local hospital.
Montel Williams, a 15-year-old sophomore at Gurdon High School and member of the Gurdon football program, was pronounced dead at Baptist Medical Center-Arkadelphia.
According to Clark County Coroner Tim Welch, Williams was pronounced dead at 9:59 p.m.
Gurdon Superintendent Allen Blackwell said head football coach John Pace had taken precautions to help protect players from the heat, including beginning practices later in the day. Yesterday’s evening practice began at 7:30 p.m.
According to information from Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about the incident at 8:42 p.m.
That report, according to Watson, indicated a person was “having trouble breathing at the high school football field.”
“It’s a tragedy, not only for the school but for the community,” Blackwell said. “Montel was a great student, he was on the honor roll and an over-all good representative of the community.”
According to Blackwell, there won’t be football practice today though coaches and players will come together and the school will have counselors available.
“Obviously, today is going to be a tough day for all coaches, staff and the community,” Blackwell said.
When students resume classes next week, extra counselors will be on hand to help them work through the grieving process, Blackwell said.
According to Blackwell, this is the first incident of this type in Pace’s 28-year-career. Blackwell cited the fact that Pace as well as the district’s new coaches have been trained to help players deal with heat.
“We are still trying to understand the complete issue,” Blackwell said.
Williams’ body has been sent to the Arkansas Crime Lab for autopsy and Watson said the CCSO is conducting an investigation into the death.
“The cause of death is unknown as this time,” Watson said.
According to information from the Gurdon Police Department, officers were not called to the scene. Gurdon ambulance crews responded, according to Watson, but officials from that agency are not releasing any information.
A Gurdon football player who collapsed during football practice Tuesday afternoon died later at a local hospital.
Montel Williams, a 15-year-old sophomore at Gurdon High School and member of the Gurdon football program, was pronounced dead at Baptist Medical Center-Arkadelphia.
According to Clark County Coroner Tim Welch, Williams was pronounced dead at 9:59 p.m.
Gurdon Superintendent Allen Blackwell said head football coach John Pace had taken precautions to help protect players from the heat, including beginning practices later in the day. Yesterday’s evening practice began at 7:30 p.m.
According to information from Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson, the Clark County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call about the incident at 8:42 p.m.
That report, according to Watson, indicated a person was “having trouble breathing at the high school football field.”
“It’s a tragedy, not only for the school but for the community,” Blackwell said. “Montel was a great student, he was on the honor roll and an over-all good representative of the community.”
According to Blackwell, there won’t be football practice today though coaches and players will come together and the school will have counselors available.
“Obviously, today is going to be a tough day for all coaches, staff and the community,” Blackwell said.
When students resume classes next week, extra counselors will be on hand to help them work through the grieving process, Blackwell said.
According to Blackwell, this is the first incident of this type in Pace’s 28-year-career. Blackwell cited the fact that Pace as well as the district’s new coaches have been trained to help players deal with heat.
“We are still trying to understand the complete issue,” Blackwell said.
Williams’ body has been sent to the Arkansas Crime Lab for autopsy and Watson said the CCSO is conducting an investigation into the death.
“The cause of death is unknown as this time,” Watson said.
According to information from the Gurdon Police Department, officers were not called to the scene. Gurdon ambulance crews responded, according to Watson, but officials from that agency are not releasing any information.
