The death of a 17-year-old student who complained of pain after breaking up a fight in the bathroom at Henry Clay High School on Friday and was immediately taken to the hospital is under investigation, local authorities and his family’s lawyer said on the night of Sunday.
The Fayette County coroner’s office confirmed Sunday that the student’s name was Emmanuel Mwakadi. The investigation is open and no foul play is suspected, coroners said.
The student died at UK Chandler Hospital on Friday.
Justin Peterson, a Lexington attorney representing Emmanuel’s family, told the Herald-Leader Sunday that between first and second period Friday, Emmanuel broke up a fight that was taking place in one of the boys’ bathrooms.
“He came out and complained of a head and neck injury, went into second period (and) at the end of second period,” he suffered an event that required emergency medical personnel to be summoned, the lawyer said.
Emmanuel passed out and became unconscious in the classroom after complaining of head and neck pain that he apparently felt when he broke up the fight, Peterson added.
Lexington Fire Maj. Derek Roberts said the fire department, responding to a seizure call, was dispatched to the school at 10:09 a.m. Friday.
“We will be investigating whether or not it was the bathroom event, whether or not there was a delay in treatment, whether or not the treatment provided was sufficient and whether or not all or any of these things combined contributed to his death. ,” said Peterson.
Lexington police officials did not immediately say Sunday night whether they were formally investigating. Peterson said Sunday that he will contact police and officials with the Office of Health and Family Services and Fayette County Public Schools.
“One of the things that concerns the family is that no one from the school has reached out to them to discuss what happened, how they are doing, to offer their condolences and condolences,” Peterson said.
“We are very concerned about the lack of communication from the school.”
Fayette County Public Schools district spokeswoman Dia Davidson-Smith said school officials have been in constant contact with the family.
“The entire (Fayette County Public Schools) family is mourning the death Friday of the HCHS (Henry Clay High School) student,” Davidson-Smith said. “The school board, teachers and district interpreters were in constant contact with the family from the moment the student experienced the medical crisis in the classroom. On behalf of the superintendent and the entire FCPS family, our sincere condolences.”
