A LaPorte County community is mourning the sudden death of a high school student. The 17-year-old boy was taking part in an intramural basketball game at New Prairie High School Monday evening, according to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department. They were dispatched along with LaPorte County EMS and Kankakee Township Fire Department First Responders to the school around 7:25 p.m.
They found the boy unresponsive in a hallway near the high school gym. Emergency responders took over CPR from people who were at the school. The boy was rushed to LaPorte Hospital where lifesaving efforts continued without success. An emergency room doctor pronounced him dead.
Foul play is not suspected. An autopsy will be conducted Tuesday to determine the cause of death.
New Prairie staff members and school administrators came to the hospital to meet with the students who had gathered there following the incident, and clergy was on hand when the students received the news.
Superintendent Dr. Paul White said in a statement, “We are very saddened at the loss of this student. The New Prairie family is mourning his passing and we hope and pray that his family will take comfort in knowing the strength of all of our students and staff stand with them in their loss.”
Dr. White and New Prairie High School Principal Jen Sass have initiated a crisis plan to help aid with students as they arrive at school Tuesday morning. Counselors as well as local ministers will be on hand at the school throughout the day Tuesday.
Officials have yet to publicly release the student’s name.
