A minor in Ketchikan died suddenly Monday morning after collapsing in his home. At around 7 a.m. Monday, Alaska State Troopers and North Tongass EMS responded to a report of a juvenile who was unconscious.
Family members said the child had collapsed and stopped breathing shortly after. They performed CPR while waiting for medics to arrive. He was transported to PeaceHealth Ketchikan Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.
State Troopers spokesperson Austin McDaniels said it’s unclear if pre-existing health conditions were a factor.
“I think we’re waiting for some additional information to come back from the medical examiner’s office, who certainly take all of that into consideration when determining cause and manner,” McDaniels said. “At this point, we don’t have any indication of foul play, but we are awaiting that determination by the medical examiner’s office to help inform any next steps that might need to occur.”
The Ketchikan Gateway Borough School District sent out a statement Monday morning announcing the passing of a Schoenbar Middle School student. The district asked community members to support students who may be grieving. The body is being sent to the state medical examiner’s office in Anchorage for an autopsy.
