Teen dies following collapse at hockey game in Carp

Posted Feb 9, 2012 By Theresa Fritz

EMC News - A 15-year-old boy died in hospital early Monday, after collapsing at a hockey game in Carp the night before.

On Sunday (Feb. 5) evening around 6:20 p.m., Ottawa Police, Ottawa Fire and Ottawa Paramedics were called to the W. Erskine Johnson Arena in Carp where a 15-year-old male was unconscious.

The Richmond teen, Tyler Kerr, was a member of the Richmond Midget B and had been playing hockey at the time of the incident. He is alleged to have come off the ice after his shift and collapsed on the players' bench.

According to Ottawa Police, a coach of the hockey team began administering CPR and the portable defibrillator was also used.

Firefighters and paramedics responded to the 911 call and immediately attempted to resuscitate the youth.

Police report the teen was transported to CHEO where he was in intensive care. However, at 3:15 a.m. Monday morning, police issued a short statement regarding the teen's condition.

"It is with sadness we report that the youth has been pronounced deceased," the statement read.

While Ottawa Police did not officially release Kerr's name, condolences poured into social media sites like Facebook from friends and schoolmates at Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville.

According to Ottawa Catholic School Board communication officer Mardi de Kemp, grief counsellors were on hand at the school as were social workers and psychologists, as well as chaplains to held students and/or staff that need support.

Police say foul play is not suspected and the youth did not sustain an injury during the game. An autopsy was expected to take place this week.

The Richmond Munster Minor Hockey Association convened a critical incident session for players affected by this tragedy. Players attending had to be accompanied by at least one parent.

The session was to provide an account of the events surrounding the death to allow for a better understanding by everyone of the tragedy.

theresa.fritz@metroland.com