GURDON, Ark. (AP) — An Arkansas high school student has died after collapsing during football practice and officials are trying to determine whether heat was a factor.
Clark County Sheriff Jason Watson identified the student as 15-year-old Montel Williams, a sophomore at Gurdon High School in southwest Arkansas.
Gurdon Superintendent Allen Blackwell said Williams collapsed at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday night, just more than an hour into the practice in which players were wearing all their gear, including pads. Watson said he was pronounced dead just before 10 p.m. at Baptist Health Medical Center in Arkadelphia.
An autopsy is planned.
Officials don’t yet know if Williams’ death was related to the heat. According to the National Weather Service, the temperature in the area was 93 degrees, with a heat index of 110 degrees.
