Boy collapses in high school PE class, dies

LYNNWOOD -- A junior at Meadowdale High School in Lynnwood collapsed during his physical education class Friday morning and died, the school said in a letter sent to all parents there.

"Matthew was in third period PE class when he collapsed. Staff, paramedics and hospital staff responded but were unable to revive him," Meadowdale principal Kevin Allen wrote.  "His family asks that they be given time to grieve privately. Those who knew Matthew knew him as a respectful, hard-working young man who was serious about his education; an all-around nice kid who we will miss. I know you join us in sending his family our deepest condolences during this difficult time."

Allen said grief counselors from the Edmonds School District would be made available to any student at the school.

No other details were released by the school.

A Lynnwood Fire Department spokesman said that when paramedics arrived, a teacher was performing CPR on the student. Medics took over, he said, and transported the boy to the hospital, where he died.