NAMS student collapses in P.E., dies
Officials are awaiting autopsy results before they can say with any certainty what caused the death of a 14-year-old North Augusta Middle School student who collapsed Monday during a physical education class.
Despite working for nearly an hour to save the life of James "Cody" Fox, the teenager was pronounced dead at the Medical College of Georgia's Children's hospital around 10:56 a.m., said Aiken County Coroner Tim Carlton.
The eighth-grader had completed a 200-yard "slow run" with classmates during a routine physical education jogging exercise on the outdoor track when he collapsed near his physical education teacher, officials have said.
The teacher, Richard Bush, and the school nurse immediately began CPR on the teenager until EMS took over chest compressions. Emergency medical crews took Fox to the Medical College of Georgia where doctors continued lifesaving measures for another 45 minutes before pronouncing him dead.
Area 2 Assistant Superintendent Rosie Berry said the Aiken County School District's crisis response team came to the middle school, along with other Area 2 counselors. They assisted North Augusta Middle School counselors in consoling students upset by their classmate's death. Those services will continue as needed, Berry said.
"We've also had community support through Public Safety and youth ministers from the faith-based community," Berry said. "Cody was a student of quality who played rec ball and focused on his school work. He did very well in school."
The autopsy should indicate whether the teenager had any congenital heart abnormalities, Carlton said.
Fox's parents told officials they were unaware of any heart problems their son may have had. School officials said the student did not indicate he had any health problems.
Although there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding Fox's death, state law mandates an autopsy be performed when a child dies.
Carlton added that the autopsy should answer a number of lingering questions.
In a press release, Berry and Aiken County Superintendent Dr. Beth Everitt extended their sympathies to the student's family, as well as his classmates, faculty and staff at the school.
Senior writer Rob Novit contributed to this article.
Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.