Coach Says Winchester Teen Killed In Crash Was A Great Leader
WINCHESTER (CBS) – Grief counselors will be at Winchester High School on Monday after the death of a student over the weekend. Pat Gill, 17, died when his car went off the road and hit a tree Saturday morning.
On Sunday night, hundreds attended a candlelight vigil for Gill at the high school.
Gill was a three sport star and captain of the football team.
Winchester football coach Wally Dembowski says Gill's death is a "tragic loss" and his teammates are heartbroken.
"They are devastated," Dembowski said. "The seniors who grew up with him. They started in Woburn Pop Warner together and we are playing Woburn this week so there's a big tie there."
Gill was driving alone in Winchester around 7:00 a.m. on Saturday when his car struck a tree. Gill was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. There is now a makeshift memorial at the site of the crash.
Coach Dembowski says the family is being surrounded by love. "They are being as strong as they possibly can in this awful situation," he said. "This community has been been fantastic."
Demobowski says Gill was a great leader to everyone at the school. "Patrick was a glue to all the kids, immensely popular with everyone on the team," he said.
Dembowski plans to hold practice Monday after school. He says that's what he thinks Pat would want his teammates to do.
A funeral service will be held on Friday.
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