High schooler dies after collapsing during flag football game in Nevada, officials say

A 16-year-old died after collapsing on the field of her flag football game in Nevada, news outlets reported.

Ashari Hughes was playing a game of flag football for Desert Oasis High School on Thursday, Jan. 5, when she started experiencing chest pain, her family told FOX 5. She took a break on the sidelines and collapsed.

The Hughes family told FOX 5 that she had ongoing heart problems but was cleared by her cardiologist to play sports.

McClatchy News reached out to Desert Oasis High School on Jan. 6 and is awaiting a response.

The school’s principal, Ian Salzman, said in a statement that staff immediately stepped in to help the student until paramedics arrived but that she didn’t survive, according to KVVU.

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that the student passed away,” Salzman said in an email to parents, according to KTVN. “The school and the entire district mourn the loss of this young life.”

Hughes’ parents said on their GoFundMe page that “she loved music, dancing, and to bring around all the people she loved.”

“When a tragedy occurs, it affects not only that school but the entire Clark County School District family, and we grieve with students, staff, and families affected by this loss,” Clark County School District Superintendent Dr. Jesus F. Jara said in a post on Twitter.

Hughes’ cause of death is still pending as of Jan. 6, according to KVVU.

“She will be missed by all of us. Hold the #7 up high for her! It was her first football number and she always wanted to represent it well!,” Hughes’ parents said on the GoFundMe.

This story was originally published January 6, 2023 at 5:24 PM with the headline "High schooler dies after collapsing during flag football game in Nevada, officials say."