A Philadelphia elementary school student died on Wednesday after he suddenly fell ill during his class, according to school district officials.
The 7-year-old student at Jackson Elementary School in South Philadelphia was in class around 2 p.m. on Wednesday when he experienced a medical emergency.
Investigators say staff administered CPR on the student and called 911. The boy, who has not yet been identified, was taken to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia where he was later pronounced dead.
School District spokesman Fernando Gallard told Philly.com that there was no nurse at the school when the child fell ill. According to Gallard, the school only has a nurse present every Thursday and every other Friday.
Investigators have not yet revealed the cause of death or whether the boy had any pre-existing medical conditions. Officials continue to investigate.
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Jerry Jordan, president of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, released a statement on the boy's death Wednesday night:
"On behalf of every member of the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, I extend my deepest condolences to the family whose child was tragically and suddenly taken away from them today, and to the staff and community at Jackson Elementary, who are no doubt reeling from the loss of their student, classmate and friend.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with you all."
The incident was one of two student deaths in the area on Wednesday. In Mount Laurel, New Jersey, an unidentified eighth-grade student at Harrington Middle School died after collapsing during a gym class.
