Counsellors helped staff and students at an elementary school in Quinte West deal with their grief Friday after a 13-year-old student died suddenly after collapsing in the schoolyard.
Andrew Austin, who was in Grade 8 at Frankford Public School, 10 kilometres north of Trenton, was rushed to hospital after falling to the ground on Thursday morning. His cause of death remains unknown.
"It's terribly upsetting. It came out of the blue and as you can understand our school is grieving right now," said Kerry Donnell, spokesperson for the Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board.
She said school officials immediately called 911 following the student's collapse and he was rushed to hospital in Trenton. The school board was notified of his death Friday morning.
"Our condolences go out to the boy's family. It's just unimaginable that something like this can happen," Donnell said.
Austin leaves behind a younger sister and older brother. His sister attends Frankford Public School, and his brother is enrolled at another school in the area.
Donnell said Austin's family is dealing with the loss as best they can.
"It was sudden, unexpected and terrible tragic," she said.
Grief counsellors were on hand at the school Friday, and will continue to be available for anyone who needs help dealing with the sudden loss.
"They'll be there as long as need be," said Donnell.
"When the boy collapsed there were all kinds of kids in the schoolyard. They saw the ambulance . . . and we know that people of all ages respond to traumatic situations differently."
A visitation for Austin will be held at Frankford Funeral Chapel on Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. A funeral is planned for Wednesday at 8 Wing Chapel in Trenton at 1 p.m.
