By Charles Owens
IAEGER — Grief counselors were dispatched to Sandy River Middle School Thursday following the tragic death of a student who collapsed during a basketball contest.
Jordan McClanahan, an eighth-grade student, collapsed Wednesday night during the basketball game between Sandy River and Mount View Middle School.
McDowell County Schools Superintendent Suzette Cook said the student was transported from Sandy River to Welch Community Hospital where he died.
“This young man is a ball player, and he’s an eighth-grader,” Cook said. “Actually, he was playing ball when he collapsed. His body has been sent to the medical examiner. He is an athlete. He appeared to be healthy. It is just such a shock.”
Cook said grief counselors were dispatched to the school Thursday to help students and school personnel deal with the tragedy.
“They (the grief counselors) stayed a little while this morning.”
Cook said she was still awaiting a medical report Thursday in hopes of learning why the student collapsed.
“We will be waiting to hear what it (the report) says.”
Cook said Mark Shelton, chief deputy of the McDowell County Sheriff’s Department and a member of the McDowell school board, also responded to the incident.
— E-mail: cowens@bdtonline.com
