Northeast Metro Tech Football Player Seriously Injured During Saturday Game
WAKEFIELD (CBS) -- A Northeast Metro Tech football player was seriously injured during a game on Saturday. He was rushed to Massachusetts General Hospital.
First responders were called to the high school's field around 10:30 a.m. for a report that the 16-year-old boy was unconscious.
Wakefield police and firefighters provided medical attention until Cataldo Ambulance paramedics arrived.
"Companies responded to find two Wakefield police officers tending to the injured student," said Wakefield Fire Department Deputy Chief Tom Purcell.
The boy was rushed to surgery. Superintendent David DiBarri confirmed that the player is alive and recovering at the hospital.
"It was not a direct head-to-head injury. Obviously at some point his head must have had some impact, but at this point, we're not completely sure," said DiBarri.
The junior varsity game, which was against Saugus High School, was suspended after the incident.
It was a scary moment, witnessed by both players and their families waiting for ambulances to arrive. One parent of two boys said it's a reminder of how dangerous sports can be.
"In any sport, there is that risk unfortunately. But I think they do everything they can to protect the kids," said parent Joe Zdanowicz. "But it is scary."
The Northeast Metro Tech faculty offered counseling for the boy's teammates, now hoping for the very best outcome.
"At this point though, it's just a focus on our prayers for his family and for his recovery," said DiBarri.