A high school football player in Virginia died earlier this week after he collapsed during a football practice, and now some staff at the school are asking why an athletic trainer wasn't present at the practice.
According to WWBT, the 15-year-old boy collapsed while the Hopewell High School JV team was taking a water break after 40 minutes of drills. Two coaches attempted CPR until paramedics arrived and transported the boy to the hospital where he later died.
WWBT reported that an anonymous school employee said the school hasn't had an athletic trainer since last school year.
“That comfort of having a trained medical professional on site, just in case anything were to happen, was always there. But then, they cut the trainer,” they said.
According to the school, a contract for the athletic services begins August 12, however the job posting for the position from July 29 is still on the school's website.
“I’m not saying having a trainer would have saved that young man’s life, but I feel like it would have at least definitely given us a better, like, a better fighting chance,” the employee said.
Staff members told WWBT that they want to see accountability for the oversight.
“Some people need to be like held responsible,” the employee said.
The school was closed Tuesday because of issues with their air conditioning, but grief counseling has been offered to staff and students.
