Riverside County, California – A six-year-old child, the son of an assistant coach on the Centennial High football team, was seriously injured on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. However, the latest reports indicate that he is showing signs of improvement.
The child was airlifted to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital immediately after the incident. According to Bill Gunn, the district’s athletic coordinator, the child is progressing favorably. Gunn has been in contact with the family and assures that while they will review safety protocols in the field, their priority is to provide support to the family and the child during this difficult time.
The unfortunate training accident occurred around 4:40 p.m. while the child was accompanying his father, an assistant coach on the team. According to Gunn, the child got caught between two offensive linemen during a practice drill. One of the players fell on him, causing serious injuries.
Both players and coaches have shown their solidarity by visiting the child in the hospital.
Centennial’s principal, Henry Romero, has reached out to the parents of the involved players to offer support and assistance. Furthermore, counseling has been provided to both players and coaches to help them cope with this situation.
Evita Tapia González, a district spokesperson, has expressed the district’s commitment to the affected family. “Our hearts are with the family, and we want to do everything we can to support them,” González said. The district is evaluating safety protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future and ensure a safe environment for all students and staff members.
As the community continues to await the child’s swift recovery, the support and solidarity surrounding this situation are evident. The priority is the well-being of the child and his family, as well as the implementation of measures to prevent future sports injuries on playing fields.
