LANCASTER, TX – A North Texas community is mourning the death of 15-year-old Preston Malone III, a Lancaster High School football player who collapsed during practice last week.
According to Lancaster Independent School District, Preston experienced heat exhaustion during an indoor football practice last Monday afternoon, when outdoor temperatures reached 104 degrees.
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Coaches and athletic trainers placed him in a cold tub and called 911. He was hospitalized but died two days later.
The district said players were given five mandatory water breaks before Preston became ill. The school’s indoor practice facility does not have an HVAC system, though officials said four large garage doors were open and multiple fans were in use during practice.
When he was taken to the hospital, Preston reportedly told his teammates he was sorry he could not finish practice but assured them he would be OK.
In response to his death, Lancaster ISD canceled football practices for the remainder of the week, along with last Thursday’s scheduled scrimmage.
