River Bluff football player dies after collapsing at practice
A sophomore on the River Bluff football team died after collapsing at practice Wednesday.
The 14-year-old’s name has not been released yet.
According to a Lexington One School District release sent earlier Wednesday, the teenager was assisted by two athletics trainers on site and a River Bluff coach. They began medical treatment, which included CPR and the use of an AED (defibrillator).
The player was then taken to a local hospital.
River Bluff began practice at 5 p.m. and practiced for two hours and 15 minutes. During practice the players took regular water breaks every 15 to 20 minutes during which the members are required to leave the field and drink water. There are water hoses available at all times, along with coolers and water, according to the district.
River Bluff High School coaches and administrators are in contact with the other football players and their parents/ guardians and are keeping them updated.
Messages of condolences from Midlands high schools and across the state flooded social media.
River Bluff is scheduled to play Mid-Carolina in the Lexington County Sportsarama on Friday at White Knoll.
It's with a heavy heart that we pray for all of gator nation and especially the family of the young man we lost tonight.
— River Bluff Hoops (@RBHS_Basketball) August 11, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers go out to our #Gator family tonight as we mourn the loss of one of our own.
— RBHS Men's Soccer (@RBsoccer) August 11, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, coaches, and teammates of the great young man we lost tonight. Life is so precious. #gators
— Gator Baseball (@RBHSBaseball) August 11, 2016
My heart breaks for @RBGATORFOOTBALL LHS is with you & praying for the school, team & community! #uswerb #family
— Coach Stepp (@coach_stepp) August 11, 2016
Thoughts and prayers go out to the young man's family from river bluff high school and all of river bluff family. #wearelex1family
— Timberwolf Football (@TimberwolfFB) August 11, 2016
Prayers for the entire River Bluff team, coaches, parents, and community.
— Coach Dan Morgan (@Bengal_Football) August 11, 2016
Our prayers go out to the River Bluff community, coaching staff, football players but most importantly this young man and his family.Prayers
— Robin Bacon (@CoachRobinBacon) August 11, 2016
Our thoughts & prayers go out to the River Bluff community tonight.
— AC Flora Athletics (@FloraAthletics) August 11, 2016
— Westwood Football (@WestwoodFB) August 11, 2016
Prayers to River Bluff HS and all the people affected by a tragic loss!
— Monte Lee (@MonteLeeCU) August 11, 2016
Sending prayers out to River Bluff today. #GatorStrong
— Chapin Stats (@ChapinStats) August 11, 2016
Thoughts and prayers go out to the River Bluff football players and community.
— IrmoBaseball (@Baseballirmo) August 11, 2016
Our thoughts and prayers are with the River Bluff Football Family ! (Lexington, SC)
— Shrine Bowl NC-SC (@ShrineBowlNCSC) August 11, 2016
Prayers for @RBGATORFOOTBALL
— Dillon Football (@Dillon_Football) August 11, 2016
This story was originally published August 10, 2016 at 10:32 PM with the headline "River Bluff football player dies after collapsing at practice."