Trending Topics

Boy’s death sparks petition to require ambulances at school football games

Riley Boatwright, 13, collapsed on the field while playing in a football game

By EMS1 Staff

LEXINGTON, Okla. — A family started a petition requiring an ambulance’s presence at junior and high school football games after their son’s death.

News9.com reported that 13-year-old Riley Boatwright collapsed on the field while playing in a football game on September 24.

“Riley didn’t know when he got up that morning, when he put his little shoes and his jeans on and ran to the bus, that it was going to be his last day,” Natalie Boatwright, Riley’s older sister, said.

In Oklahoma, it’s not a requirement for ambulances to be present at junior and high school football games. However, Riley’s family is hoping to change that.

“It’s about moving forward. It is not a blame game,” Regina Faught, Riley’s cousin, said. “It is not about saying this one should have done, or this person should have done this. It’s about another family never having to go through with this.”

Wadley EMS, which has only five ambulances to cover their jurisdiction, is currently working with school district officials on a temporary and permanent solution.

https://www.facebook.com/MckennaLEubank/videos/458176014790573/?q=riley%20boatwright https://www.facebook.com/PerrisJonesKOCO/videos/673245943164874/UzpfSTExNTc2MTExNjQ5MDk5NzoxMzY1NzQ0Nzc3NDI5OTQ/

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU