Student, 14, Collapses After Playing Basketball at NJ School, Dies

Officials are hoping an autopsy will explain the death of a 14-year-old New Jersey student who collapsed after playing basketball at school.

The Patrick School student, Nixon Geraldo, was in the gym at Elizabeth School 27 in Elizabeth while his mother attended parent-teacher conferences on Wednesday night.

Police Capt. William Pinho told NJ.com the boy explained to his coach he was feeling light-headed and dizzy. The student collapsed as he walked toward the bleachers.

Geraldo was pronounced dead at a hospital. Family members confirmed his identity to NBC 4 New York.

Patrick School principal Chris Chavannes said Geraldo did not appear ill earlier in the evening and had been playing basketball with other students for about 30 or 45 minutes.

"Everyone just heard a thump in the gym," he said.

Chavannes described Geraldo as a charismatic student.

"My last vision of him is he had a huge smile on his face," he said.

Elizabeth Varela, the youth's aunt, said her nephew was passionate about two things: basketball and his religious faith. 

The Patrick School has classrooms near School 27, which allows the private Patrick School to use its gym. The school had a short day Friday so students could met with grief counselors. 

 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us