Teen collapses, dies at football practice on first day of school

ROZEL, Kan. (KWCH/Gray News) - Questions remain after a Kansas teenager collapsed and died during football practice on the first day of school.

A student in Pawnee Heights USD 496 died Tuesday, the first day of school, according to school district officials.

Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett said he got a call from the sheriff around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, telling him EMS had responded to football practice after a teenage boy collapsed and couldn’t be revived.

An autopsy was scheduled to be performed Thursday.

McNett said there were multiple witnesses to the medical emergency, and there is no suspicion of foul play. Until the autopsy is done, he said it was improper to speculate on the student’s possible cause of death.

Pawnee Heights Principal and Activities Director Tina Vondracek said in a statement, in part, that “we (district leaders) extend heartfelt sympathies to all those who are hurting and are focused on providing support and care to our school district community.”