A high school football player in Texas has tragically died after suffering a “medical emergency” during practice earlier this week, according to school officials.
In a news release shared with PEOPLE on Thursday, Aug. 21, the Lancaster Independent School District identified the student as 15-year-old Preston Malone, a sophomore at Lancaster Early College High School.
The district reported that Malone, a junior varsity athlete, was taking part in football practice on Monday, Aug. 18, when he told a coach he wasn’t feeling well.
“The coach immediately noticed that Malone was not sweating,” Kimberly Simpson, a spokesperson for the school district, said at a news conference on Wednesday, Aug. 20. “He was not perspiring.”
According to the school’s release, staffers called 911, and Malone was placed in a cold tub to help lower his body temperature. Paramedics then transported him to a hospital for further evaluation.
“We were hopeful for his recovery, but his condition changed overnight, and he sadly passed away,” the district stated.
Simpson shared Malone’s final words at the news conference:
“His last words were, ‘Hey, I’m sorry I was unable to finish the workout,’” she said, “which speaks to the type of kid Preston was.”
The practice had been held indoors due to high outdoor temperatures, ABC affiliate WFAA and NBC affiliate KXAS reported.
The school district emphasized that its athletic training staff “carefully followed all UIL and district heat safety protocols and procedures, which included adjusting practice times, utilizing indoor facilities, maintaining hydration stations, monitoring real-time heat conditions, and ensuring certified athletic trainers were on site.”
They added, “When the medical emergency occurred, our staff responded immediately and with great care for our student.”
Simpson also noted that the indoor practice facility did not have an HVAC system, though “there are four large garage door areas, and those are always lifted up, and we have fans that circulate air inside.”
Following Malone’s death, the school district canceled football practices for the rest of the week, including a scrimmage against North Forney that had been scheduled for Thursday.
Simpson remembered Malone as “an exceptional student and did things the Tiger way,” WFAA reported. She said, “He excelled in everything that he did, and he will be remembered for that.”
School superintendent Dr. A.K. Perera responded in the district’s news release: “Our hearts are broken, and we extend our deepest condolences to the student’s family, friends, classmates, teammates, and teachers during this unimaginable time of loss. We ask our community to join us in keeping the family in their thoughts and prayers.”
The district also stated that grief counselors were made available at Malone’s high school for students and staff.
