Knox MacEwen suffered cardiac arrest while participating in a 5K race at a high school in Florida (Picture: GoFundMe)
A teenage boy died while running a 5K race – just as his mother was recovering from a difficult battle with cancer.
Knox MacEwen, 14, was participating in a Junior Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) run on Saturday morning when he went into cardiac arrest, Miramar police told NBC Miami.
The teen was rushed from Everglades High School where the event was taking place to Memorial Miramar Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
‘He was a revered member of his local community – a JROTC student, a volunteer with the kids ministry at his home church; and he was a beloved brother, son, grandson, nephew and friend,’ states a GoFundMe page to help Knox’s family with funeral expenses.
Knox MacEwan went into cardiac arrest while participating in a Junior Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps run (Picture: NBC Miami)
‘This family has been through the unimaginable, as this has happened as Knox’s mom, Julie, is still physically and financially recovering from a hard fought battle with cancer this last year.’
Knox was attending Western High School in Davie, Florida, and was active at the Crossway Church in Cooper City.
Pastor Jon Elswick of the church said Knox’s death caused ‘ripple effects’ through the community and that ‘it’s been a really difficult time’.
‘Knox’s dad said to me a couple of days ago, that Knox was the best of us,’ Elswick told NBC Miami.
‘And I love that phrase because if you knew Knox, that’s who he was, right, this is a teenager who when you think about him, you think of a loving kid, a caring kid, a funny kid.’
Western High School Principal Jimmy Arrojo expressed ‘deepest condolences’ to Knox’s family, classmates and teachers.
‘I ask our Wildcat community to rally around the family in prayer and support during this time of deep sorrow,’ Arrojo told the local station.
Knox’s death is under investigation.
The GoFundMe page had raised more than $73,100 as of Tuesday evening.
Knox died just four months after a 14-year-old boy died of an undetected heart condition while at Saint Kentigern’s Academy in Scotland.
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Knox MacEwan, 14, died after running in a Junior Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps in Florida.