Star high school athlete dies 'out of nowhere' after being pulled out of swimming pool
An incoming freshman football player expected to be a star athlete died days after almost drowning in the pool at Chino High School.
Pending a full investigation into the mysterious incident, the student hasn't been identified by the school district, NBC Los Angeles reported.
The school, located on the outskirts of the Los Angeles metro area, did confirm that the boy was participating in an afternoon activity with the football team when he suffered a medical emergency in the pool on Friday.
Paramedics arrived on the scene within five minutes, at which point the boy had already been pulled from the water, according to the Chino Valley Fire Department.
EMS crews rushed him to the hospital, where doctors were able to keep him alive throughout the weekend. His family made the heart wrenching decision to take him off life support on Sunday.
Pictured: The outdoor swimming pool where a Chino High School student suffered a medical emergency
'We would like to reassure our community that the appropriate staff is examining all of the details surrounding the situation,' Andy Johnston, a spokesperson for the Chino Valley Unified School District, told NBC.
A parent of another player on the football team said they thought the boy was set to be a great athlete.
The parent added that he was a good swimmer, which only raises more questions about how the boy died.
Other students were at the pool when this tragedy unfolded, and they've spoken to investigators, ABC reported.
It's also unclear what state he was in while being transported to the hospital.
Close friends and family of the boy gathered on Sunday at the school's football field to honor his memory. Flowers were left on the track surrounding the field.
Paramedics arrived on the scene in five minutes. The boy had already been pulled out of the water and was quickly transported to the hospital to be placed on life support
Andy Johnston, a spokesperson for the school district, announced that the investigation into the boy's death is ongoing
Sophomore Jose Juarez said the boy died 'out of nowhere,' adding that he feels bad for his family
Students from the high school swimming in a neighborhood pool - not the pool at the school - shared their shock at the boy's sudden and explained death.
'He just passed away out of nowhere,' said sophomore Jose Juarez.
'He was in the pool, and he was having fun but things happened. I feel bad for his parents and his family.'
The school district said it is making mental health counselors available to students and faculty.
The CDC recently made a tragic announcement that drowning deaths are on the rise for the first time in decades, calling it an 'urgent' public health issue.
