Boy Dies After Collapse During Gym Class Run

A 13-year-old boy died Wednesday after collapsing during a half-mile run in physical education class at a school in La Habra.

Paramedics took Carlos Ruiz to St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, where he was pronounced dead.

Betty Bidwell, principal of Imperial Middle School, said the eighth-grader had no medical problems the school was aware of. She called him “a wonderful boy” who loved to play soccer.

Authorities told his family that Carlos had been running around the track when he suddenly stopped, put his hand on his chest, complained of pain and collapsed. Although a gym teacher gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, said his aunt, Martha Ruiz, the boy died en route to the hospital.

An eighth-grade girl said she looked behind her while running and saw Carlos fall. Gym teachers clustered around the boy as the principal and nurse came running.

The students from several gym classes were directed off the grass and onto the asphalt, the girl said. About 50 of them gathered in a circle to pray while paramedics tried to save the boy’s life.

Counselors will be at the school today to offer assistance to students and teachers.

About a dozen of Carlos’ family members gathered at the hospital Wednesday evening to pray and give each other support.

The only health problem Carlos had, according to family members, was a liver condition for which he had had surgery at age 2. The boy’s doctors were considering another operation for the condition.