Staff Report

A fifth grader at West Yadkin School collapsed and died Wednesday while walking on the track during break.

Superintendent Jim Benfield identified the child as Dakota Gregory.

Principal Charles Conner said Dakota was walking with friends on the track during break around 11 a.m. and collapsed.

Staff members started performing CPR and EMS arrived within about three minutes after getting the call. They also used a defibrillator available at the school.

The child was transported to Hoots Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Conner, Benfield and other administrators from the school system went to the hospital after hearing of the incident. "You never get over the loss of a child. We are certainly concerned for them but there is no way to comfort a parent at such a time," Benfield said.

Teachers and friends said the child seemed to be feeling well earlier in the day. "He was having a good day, out walking with friends collapsed and died," Conner said.

The students with the child were very upset and were picked up by their parents. "We haven't had a chance to talk with them about that," Conner said Wednesday when asked about the circumstances immediately prior to the student's collapse.

Fifth grade classmates were upset and talked with counselors today. "We took them (the fifth graders) into a room and they were making cards and drawing," Conner said.

"Counselors from other schools came in to help with the students," he said. The counselors will also be available Thursday morning.

Many of the fifth graders and some of the older students knew the child. The fifth grade has 91 students, Conner said.

Conner said he did not know the cause of the death. The school is typically aware of health concerns of students, but he could not release those.