Child Dies After Collapsing In P.E. Class At Palos Verdes School

PALOS VERDES, CA – A sixth grade student died Tuesday after collapsing during a physical education class at Dodson Middle School in Rancho Palos Verdes. He was running when he collapsed, according to Assistant Principal Sarah Aiello, who made a statement on behalf of the school's interim principal, Kathleen Miyamoto.

The student received immediate attention from the school nurse and paramedics, who rushed the student to the hospital where he was pronounced dead, Aiello said. School staff declined to answer questions about the incident, Los Angeles Times reported, but the Los Angeles Unified School District released the text of a recorded message sent to parents.

“On behalf of our school community, I offer the family our sincere condolences from staff, teachers and classmates,” Aiello said, according to Daily Breeze. “As we mourn together, the family will remain in our thoughts, and in our hearts. Please bring any letters or cards of sympathy to the office.”

The district quickly deployed crisis counselors, according to the message. Children who needed emotional support were advised to notify a teacher or counselor, or call a support service called Teen Line from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at 1-800-TLC-TEEN, Los Angeles Times reported.

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