A sixth-grade student in Massachusetts, died suddenly on October 1 while playing basketball at a local basketball club. The young basketball player had a medical emergency that caused him to collapse while at the Dana Barros Basketball Club facility in Stoughton.
He was later identified as George-Levi Njuguna, 11. Njuguna was a student at North Middle School, which is part of the Brockton Public Schools system.
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Paramedics found the boy unconscious and unresponsive after what staff at the basketball club called a fainting incident.
Stoughton Fire Chief Michael Carroll told Boston 25 News that paramedics arrived at the basketball club four minutes after receiving a report about a child fainting. When paramedics arrived, they found the 11-year-old basketball player “lying flat on the ground, unconscious and unresponsive,” Carroll told the news outlet.
Dispatchers gave CPR instructions over the phone before paramedics arrived. After they arrived, they continued taking lifesaving measures, including using a defibrillator.
The child was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
The young basketball player was taken to a local hospital, but unfortunately, he did not survive. At this time, the cause of his death has not been determined, per Boston 25 News. Carroll told the news outlet that he does not believe the child had any known health problems. “From what I understand, he had no real cardiac issues historically. A normal healthy child,” Carroll said.
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The basketball club was closed on Wednesday and offered grief counseling.
The Dana Barros Basketball Club shared a statement on Instagram to announce its temporary closure. “Due to the devastating loss of one of our beloved members last night, Dana Barros Basketball Club will be closed today, Wednesday, October 2, 2024,” the statement reads. “Out of Respect to the family’s privacy, no further information is available at this time.”
On October 3, the basketball club shared an update about making grief counseling available to people who play basketball there. “Our thoughts and prayers are with all those touched by George,” the post reads.
The club also shared a statement with Boston 25 News, calling George’s death an “unimaginable loss” for his family and the community.
“Our entire basketball community, especially his teammates and coaches but all of our club members and their families are devastated and heartbroken over this tragedy,” the statement read. “This young man loved basketball, he was a cherished teammate and friend, and it is difficult to imagine the Club moving forward without the presence of his smiling face.”
Brockton Public Schools confirmed that Njuguna attended school in the district.
In a statement shared with WCVB, Brockton Public Schools spokesman Jordan Mayblum said, “We’re deeply saddened by the passing of a sixth grader from North Middle School. We’ve communicated with their family and the affected school community and will be making resources available for those who are impacted by this devastating loss.”
Police called it a 'horrific tragedy.'
The young basketball player’s death will be investigated according to standard procedure, WCVB reported. Police have said the boy’s death does not seem to be suspicious. In a statement, Stoughton Police Chief Donna McNamara, called George’s death “a horrific tragedy,” per Boston.com. “Our hearts go out to the friends and family of this young boy.”
