MIRAMAR, Fla. — A 14-year-old died over the weekend after suddenly collapsing during a 5K race at a high school in South Florida, multiple media outlets report.
Knox MacEwen suffered from cardiac arrest Saturday morning during a Junior Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) 5K marathon, according to NBC Miami. Police responded to the medical emergency at 9 a.m. at Everglades High School.
Miami Herald explains an incident report from the Miramar Police Department said paramedics tried to resuscitate MacEwen after he lost consciousness and stopped breathing.
The teen was then reportedly taken to Memorial Miramar Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The principal of Western High School in Davie, Jimmy Arrojo, sent an email to school parents and guardians the same day of the incident, saying:
“I am saddened to share tragic news impacting our Wildcat community. One of our JROTC students passed away this morning after being transported to the hospital.
I want to offer my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, teachers, and classmates as they mourn this great loss. I ask our Wildcat community to rally around the family in prayer and support during this time of deep sorrow.”
It's not confirmed as of now if the teen was a student at Western High School.
A GoFundMe fundraiser was created to support the MacEwen family and help with funeral expenses and time off of work for the teen's parents.
As of Tuesday afternoon, thousands of donations have been made adding up to more than $68,000.
"This family has been through the unimaginable, as this has happened as Knox’s mom, Julie, is still physically and financially recovering from a hard fought battle with cancer this last year," the creator of the GoFundMe page explained. "Any gifts will go directly to the MacEwen family, and are deeply appreciated."
