Teen Dies After Collapsing During Football Practice

A 15-year-old Wekiva High School football player died Tuesday, after he collapsed during practice and was rushed to the hospital, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said.

AT THE SCENE: Images Of Football Field

Life-saving efforts were given to the 15-year-old player as he was taken off the Wekiva High School football field at 2501 North Hiawassee Road (see map).

The student, 15-year-old Oliver Louis, was transported to Florida Hospital Apopka for continued treatment, but the he did not respond to additional life-saving attempts and died at the hospital.

The freshman's stepfather and mother were outside Wekiva High School Tuesday night, and spoke to WFTV.

"He was beloved wherever he was, out of every high school, they wanted him because he is a good student. He was everything," said Mario Etienne, Louis' stepfather.

Louis' family said he was a healthy teenager before he collapsed Tuesday afternoon. Orange County public schools says physicals are required for all student athletes, and a doctor said Louis passed his exam.

"He was healthy, going to school, and he went to practice and then this happened," said Etienne.

Orange County Sheriff’s Office investigators were called to the scene and interviewed witnesses who may have offered some insight as the circumstances unfolded, and will be conducting a death investigation.

WFTV meteorologist Tom Terry said the heat index topped out around 100 degrees, between 2:30pm and 4:30pm, which is when practice was going on. Officials say it is too early to determine if the weather played a role in Louis' death.

On Tuesday, the district said there would be no changes to how its athletes practice. Wednesday morning at 7:00am, students gathered around the Wekiva High School flagpole for a prayer vigil.

Grief counselors will be at the school Wednesday to provide assistance to any students who want to talk or have trouble coping with the death of their classmate. WFTV has also learned that freshman and junior varsity football practice has been canceled for Wednesday.

Louis will be honored before Wekiva High School's football game Friday night.

This happened the same day a Spruce Creek High School football player collapsed on the field during practice, paramedics told WFTV. He was taken to Halifax Medical Center in Daytona where he is in critical condition (read story).