Anchovy High student dies after collapsing during cross-country running

The Anchovy High School community in St James has been left devastated after a male grade 7 student died while participating in a cross-country event at the school this morning.

"I am not coping right now. It’s a very traumatic day for us," said principal, Lavern Stewart.

Stewart said the incident happened about 11:00 a.m.

"I saw him in the minute he fell to when the ambulance picked him up. I have been crying since that time. I have just composed myself in the last 30 to 40 minutes," an emotional Stewart expressed.

Chairman of the school board, Nigel Golab, told The Gleaner that details are being collected regarding the incident.

"I am currently talking to the physical education teacher and all who are involved. I can't say yet, we getting all the details first. Then we will send out a press release," Golab said.

As for grief counselling, Golab said members of the education ministry have been at the school since the incident.

"The senior education officer was here with us and she is doing it from the ministry's end. All that is taken care of. It is just the facts of what happened and how it happened we are in discussion about now," said Golab.

-Ashley Anguin

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