A 15-year-old cross-country runner collapsed and later died during practice in East Texas last month, according to authorities.
Estefani Cabrera, a student in Marshall, Texas, passed away at a hospital in Shreveport, Louisiana, on Tuesday, Aug. 19, after experiencing a “medical emergency” the day before at her school, reported CBS affiliate KYTX-TV and Marshall ISD.
Cabrera had just finished a two-mile run when she collapsed. A 911 call log obtained by ABC affiliate KTBS-TV showed first responders were sent to the high school at 4:05 p.m. The report noted she was unconscious and may have suffered a seizure after completing the run.
She was first taken to a local hospital, then transferred to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, where she died.
An autopsy has been performed, but the cause of death is not expected to be known for up to eight weeks, KTBS reported.
On that day, a heat advisory was in effect. The high temperature reached 97 degrees, and with humidity, the heat index was between 105 and 110, according to AccuWeather.
The UIL is now investigating the circumstances of Cabrera’s death as her family searches for answers.
Her mother, Erika Vargas, spoke with ABC affiliate KLTV in Tyler about the devastating loss.
“Estefani was a happy child … she loved to dance, play around, baking cakes,” Vargas said.
She added, “She was excited to start cross country. She showed me her shirt and said, ‘Look, I’m No. 20. I’m going to work my way to No. 1.’ I told her she was going to be my track star.”
