A 14-year-old high school basketball player collapsed and died during a game Thursday in Momence, Ill., reports DailyCBS 2 News and WGN 9.
Amari Crite, a freshman at Momence High School, collapsed on the field while walking toward the defensive end of the field, reports Daily. The Kankakee County Coroner’s Office said the cause of death is pending.
As of Friday morning, Amari’s family created a GoFundMe page, and more than 440 donations have raised $27,940, surpassing the family’s $15,000 goal.
The GoFundMe description read: “As some, if not all, of you may know, our precious little girl passed away last night January 25th when she collapsed at her basketball game. We ask everyone and anyone to help us give her the right home she deserves. No amount is too small, no amount is too much. And most of all, we need prayer!”
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Amari Crite.
Gofundme
The school district’s superintendent, Shannon Anderson, released a statement Friday morning. “We are deeply saddened to confirm the heartbreaking news of the death of one of our 9th grade students on January 25, 2024,” Anderson said, according to Daily,
“Our thoughts and condolences go out to the family and friends affected by this tragic loss.” Anderson said Momence High School students, staff and the “wider school community” will have access to “mental health support and counseling” in the “coming days and weeks to help those who may be struggling with the emotional impact of this tragedy.”
“Our primary focus right now is on supporting each other and providing the necessary resources for our community to cope with this loss,” Anderson added. “We are deeply grateful to the neighboring counties and mental health and grief counseling providers in the Kankakee County area who have volunteered their services to help our community during this time.”
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The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office shared its condolences in a Facebook post: “The Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office is with the Momence School District during this difficult time. Friends, family and schoolmates are in our prayers. We will all stay #RedskinStrong.”
Representatives from Momence High School and the Kankakee County Coroner’s Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for more information on Friday.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education