SUNGAI PETANI: A Fifth Form student from a secondary school here reportedly died after collapsing shortly after completing a cross-country event on Thursday (Feb 27), Malay language daily Sinar Harian reports.
The 16-year-old victim had successfully completed the 6km event before collapsing and losing consciousness after crossing the finish line.
Kuala Muda OCPD Asst Comm Wan Azharuddin Wan Ismail said the event was held at the school with other students participating.
"Upon reaching the finish line on the school field, the student, known to be actively involved in sports, suddenly collapsed and lost consciousness.
"Teachers on duty, along with students who are members of the Red Crescent Society, provided first aid assistance, but there was no response," he said.
He added that the school contacted an ambulance from Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital (HSAH), and the victim was pronounced dead while being taken for treatment at HSAH.
"Our interview with the victim's father revealed that the child was healthy, did not suffer from any illnesses, and was an active sports enthusiast," he said.
ACP Wan Azharuddin told Sinar Harian that the victim's father had also given written permission allowing his child to participate in the sports event.
He said that a check of the victim's health records showed no history of illness or hospital treatment.
So far, he said, an examination of the victim at the scene found no criminal or malicious elements, and the body was sent to the Forensic Department of Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar for a post-mortem.
