An eastern Ontario school is mourning the death of a student Thursday, two days after Josiah Grant was hurt in a high-jumping accident.
The Upper Canada District School Board said the 17-year-old student at Smiths Falls District Collegiate Institute was at practice Tuesday when he missed the landing pad after a jump.
"He landed awkwardly and was taken by his father to Smiths Falls hospital as a precautionary measure and they felt he needed further attention," said Ian Carswell with the school board. "He was taken to Kingston General Hospital where he lapsed into a coma and passed away (Wednesday) afternoon.
"He was conscious, responsive, talking to staff; he had some scratches and cuts and staff thought he should be checked out at the hospital as a precautionary measure."
There has been a Facebook page set up in his memory, with students placing flowers and candles around his locker all day.
There were also grief counsellors at the school Thursday for any student who needed to talk, along with many parents for support.
"My teacher pretty much broke down in front of me and the rest of the class pretty much cried with her too," said one student. "She gave everyone a candle so we all have this cande now that's lit up for Josiah."
"He'd always crack a joke, he'd always smile," said another. "Just to see someone go away that fast, in an instant, that's what hurts the most."
The Ontario coroner's office will investigate, but the provincial Ministry of Labour will not.
The school said they believe his death was a total accident, but will do a full internal investigation to see if correct procedures were followed.
"We'll certainly investigate and put the pieces together, but at this point in time it appears to be an unfortunate and tragic accident," Carswell said.
The school board said it's debating whether or not to suspend the school's track-and-field program.
Grant, also on the school's football team, was set to graduate in June.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Catherine Lathem and files from The Canadian Press
