Las Vegas Teen Collapses and Dies During Flag Football Game
A Las Vegas high school student died after playing in her school’s flag football game. Ashari Hughes, 16, collapsed on Thursday evening after experiencing chest pains. She was given CPR by a nurse at the scene and taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead. Loading Something is loading.
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A Las Vegas teenager died while playing flag football at a school event, according to multiple news reports.
The 16-year-old, identified as Desert Oasis High School student Ashari Hughes, was playing in a flag football game Thursday when she started having chest problems, her family told KVVU-TV. The family told the media that she collapsed after deciding to take a break from playing.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that a registered nurse, Aphelia Phifer-Hill, posted on Facebook about the incident and said she performed CPR on the teenager. She said Hughes was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead.
The teenager’s death came just days after NFL Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed on the field during Monday night’s game.
Hughes’ family noted that Hughes suffered from ongoing heart-related problems, according to KVVU-TV. However, her doctor gave her the green light to play sports, but the family said they had concerns about her condition.
Clark County School District Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara released a statement Friday acknowledging Hughes’ death, the newspaper reported.
—CCSD (@ClarkCountySch) January 6, 2023
The loss of this young life deeply saddens us and our thoughts are with the student’s friends, family and loved ones,” the statement said. “When tragedy strikes, it affects not only that school, but the entire Clark County School District family, and we grieve with the students, staff and families affected by this loss.”
According to The Review-Journal, sporting events were canceled and students told the outlet that the school offered mental health services.
The sophomore’s family also set up a GoFundMe, which has raised nearly $24,000 as of Saturday. In a fundraising statement, they described Hughes as “passionate, loving and determined”.
“She loved so much and was loved by so many. We will all miss her,” the fundraiser said. “Keep number 7 up for her! It was her first football number and she always wanted to represent it well!
