Boy who died after ball hit his chest mourned

SAN DIEGO -- Classmates were mourning the death of a student at Ramona High School in northeast San Diego County. He died Wednesday after being hit in the chest with a ball.

The 16-year-old sophomore was playing over-the-line, a softball-like sport, during a physical education class when he was struck by a line drive. He later collapsed and was taken to a local hospital, where he was declared dead.

Friends told Fox 5 News that he was a good athlete who played freshman football.

“We had planned our lives together. We were going to play football for another two years and then join the military,” said Chris Hartness, one of the boy’s friends, told Fox 5. “Now that’s all gone.”

Principal Tony Newman said the ball was even softer than a normal softball.

“He was very well-liked,” Newman said. “This is going to have a big impact on our school and the community. He was just a great kid.”

The boy died on his 16th birthday.

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