Tyler Kopp, 12, dies after being hit in the chest with a ball
Star lacrosse player, 12, dies after ball strikes his chest in a match
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A 12-year-old boy has died after being struck in the chest during a lacrosse match.
Tyler Kopp collapsed to the ground in front of his team-mates after being hit with the rubber ball causing his heart to suddenly stop.
An off-duty firefighter performed CPR on Kopp, a seventh-grader at Twelve Corners Middle School in Rochester, New York, until ambulance crews arrived.
Tragic: Tyler Kopp, 12, pictured, collapsed after being struck in the chest during a lacrosse match
Emergency medical technicians restarted Kopp's heart with a defibrillator before transporting him to the nearby Strong Hospital, where he died in the early hours of Tuesday.
His father Brian spoke of his son's 'sensitivity' and described him as an 'iconic boy' in a statement released after his son's death.
He said: 'On February 7, 2012, Tyler Kopp's body died but his spirit lives on with his family, friends and the many communities who were touched by his wonderful life.
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Share'Tyler had great sensitivity toward others, a fierce determination and a strong competitive fire. He was the iconic boy - loving sports, the outdoors, and playing with his friends.'
Tyler had been playing for the Brighton Lacrosse team in what officials said was a routine game at the Total Experience Sports Centre.
He was wearing a safety helmet and school officials said there was no ill intent from the other player who hit the ball that struck him directly in the chest.
Tragic: Tyler had been playing for the Brighton Lacrosse team in what officials said was a routine game at the Total Experience Sports Centre
A statement posted on the Brighton School District website said: 'The accident occurred when Tyler, playing at the appropriate level and wearing all of the required safety equipment, was struck in the chest area by a ball during a game. This occurred on a routine play and there was no ill intent.'
Tyler attended Twelve Corners Middle School in Brighton, near Rochester.
The District Superintendent Dr. Kevin McGowan said:'Mirroring his spirit in the classroom and on the playing field, Tyler courageously fought hard to recover from this tragic accident.'
Tyler’s death has stunned his team mates and their parents.
'When the best player on the team is also the most modest player on the team, that speaks volumes about that kid, and that was Tyler,' said Phillip McDonald of Brighton, whose son has played on teams with Tyler.
'He had no attitude. He wasn’t above it all. He was just a down-to-earth kid. He helped every other player. I’ve seen kids who are the stars on the team and they’re the most arrogant, self-centered kids there are. He was just the total opposite.'
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