14-year-old boy dies during football practice in New York City
NEW YORK -- A 14-year-old boy has died after collapsing during football practice in the Bronx, CBS New York reports.
First responders were called to Mount Saint Michael Academy around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
School officials said the high school freshman, identified as Dominick Bess, was involved in a non-contact football practice when he collapsed.
"The student was treated immediately on campus and paramedics transported him to a local hospital," the school said in a statement.
The teen was rushed to Montefiore Medical Center where he was pronounced dead from cardiac arrest.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory on Tuesday for noon, saying the combination of heat and humidity would make temperatures feel like 95 to 99 degrees.
"The heat and humidity may cause heat stress during outdoor exertion or extended exposure," the advisory said.
Mayor Bill de Blasio expressed his condolences on Twitter and said that sports practices should be prohibited during heat waves.
"Our hearts break for this young man's family," he posted.
Bess' cousin, Simone Dyer, told The Associated Press he was brainy and "well-rounded kid" from a close-knit family.
His teammate, Kianndra Smith, told CBS New York that Bess looked exhausted and asked for water before he collapsed.
"We basically did drills, running drills, scout offense," Smith said.
Smith said Tuesday morning's 8 a.m. practice was business as usual. It was the first of two practices scheduled for the day.
"Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, as well as coaches, the team and our student-athletes," the school said, adding that grief counselors would be on hand at the school.
The incident comes two weeks after a Long Island high school student suffered a fatal injury during football practice. Joshua Mileto, 16, was killed when he was struck in the head by a large log during a conditioning drill.
