PAWNEE COUNTY —An autopsy is scheduled Thursday on the body of a student who died at USD 496/Pawnee Heights football practice in Rozel.
At 8:30p.m. Tuesday, Pawnee County EMS responded to send an ambulance to the school, according to. Pawnee County Attorney Doug McNett.
Just after 9p.m. Pawnee County Sheriff Larry Atteberry contacted McNett to advise him that EMS had responded to a Pawnee Heights’ football practice earlier in the evening due to a player collapsing, according to a statement from McNett.
The sheriff informed McNett that medical personnel had been unable to revive the boy at the scene. At approximately 11:00 p.m., a sheriff's department detective contacted McNettt to learn whether he would authorize an autopsy as County Attorney due to the Deputy County Coroner being out of town.
McNett advised he would authorize the autopsy "if the young man’s family wished to have one."
Late Wednesday afternoon, McNett confirmed the autopsy is now scheduled for Thursday in Wichita.
"It will not be law enforcement observed as there were multiple witnesses to the medical emergency and there is no suspicion of foul play."
Pawnee Heights Principal Tina Vondracek confirmed in an email Wednesday that the student had died.. His name has not been released.
"We extend our most heartfelt sympathies to all those who are hurting and are focused on providing support and care to our school district community," Vondracek said. "This week, we are focused on caring for our students, staff and community."
McNett did not have specifics on what happened that led to the boy's death and he did "not know the young man personally." McNett said he did know the boy's parents. "They are very active in the community and my heart breaks for them." "The Rozel and Burdett Communities which makeup the Pawnee Heights School District are extremely closeknit, and I know this loss will be felt deeply." The boy's name and other detail have not been released.