13 Year Old Dies During Basketball Practice

A heartbreaking story in Kentucky.

A 13-year-old suddenly died during basketball practice, and it's shaken up the
quiet town of Litchfield.

David McArthur reports.

THE STUDENTS CAME TO SCHOOL AS USUAL... BUT WITH LOTS OF NEW QUESTIONS...

Why, why did this happen...

AND THERE WAS NO GOOD ANSWER FOR THIS.

TUESDAY... 13 YEAR OLD KEITH WALKER WAS AT HIS FIRST BASKETBALL PRACTICE... HE
JUST TRIED OUT AND MADE THE 7TH GRADE TEAM THE DAY BEFORE.

30 MINUTES INTO PRACTICE, HE COLLAPSED AND DIED.

He was participating in 3 on 2 drills inside the gym.  It was early in the
practice.  The kids was just running the wing and just collapsed.

GEORGE MEREDITH WAS ONE OF TWO COACHES INSIDE THE GYM TRAINED IN CPR... THE
SUPERINTENDENT SAY MEREDITH STARTED IMMEDIATELY, AS ANOTHER TEACHER CALLED
9-1-1.

DESPITE EFFORTS BY SCHOOL STAFF, EMT'S AND A HOSPITAL LESS THAN BLOCK AWAY...
KEITH COULD NOT BE SAVED.

The scenario went exactly as it was supposed to, but the outcome so tragic.

THE GRAYSON COUNTY CORONER ISSUED A PRELIMINARY CAUSE OF DEATH... AS SUDDEN
CARDIAC ARREST.

The family, when we discussed it with them, there was no past cardiac history
that they are aware of.  They did not have any underlying medical history, he
was not taking any medications.  It was just a tragic accident.

AND APPARENTLY SCHOOL RECORDS ALSO SHOW NO MEDICAL PROBLEMS.

THE SUPERINTENDENT SAYS KEITH WAS HEALTHY ACCORDING TO TWO PHYSICALS, ONE DONE
BEFORE HE STARTED 6TH GRADE... ANOTHER FOR ALL ATHLETES.

IT WAS ONLY DAY ONE OF PRACTICE, BUT THE COACHES WERE VETERANS AND THE
SUPERINTENDENT BELIEVES FOLLOWING ALL GUIDELINES.

Nothing strenuous, normal practice.  Kids get water when they want to... gym is
air conditioned.  There was noting abnormal about the conditions.

Basketball practice for the middle school has been canceled the rest of the
week.

Counselors will remain available for all students and especially the team and
coaches.