16-Year-Old Track Star Dies Following 'Devastating' Medical Emergency on Trail Near His High School

Mar. 15, 2025

Espoir Missite.Photo:GoFundMe

GoFundMe

A Minnesota community is in mourning after the unexpected death of a 16-year-old track star, who died following a medical emergency near his high school, authorities said.

Espoir Missite was found on a trail near Maple Grove Senior High School in Maple Grove, Minn. in the early evening of Tuesday, Feb. 25. The junior later died at the hospital, according to a press release from the Maple Grove Police Department.

AGoFundMepage to support Missite’s family later confirmed that the high school athlete died after suffering cardiac arrest.

While Missite was a sprinter on the school’s track and field team, Principal Bart Becker confirmed the incident didn’t occur during track practice, which begins on March 10, according toThe Minnesota Star Tribune. (Maple Grove Senior High School did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.)

The athlete’s death comes as a shock to his family and local community.

By 5:02 p.m. local time, the local fire department received a CPR call from behind the high school.

“When we arrived, the ambulance, there were already two on scene, along with police,” Jeremy Berger, deputy fire marshal of the Maple Grove Fire Department, tells PEOPLE. “The fire department was asked to help provide oxygen, and to load the patient on to the gurney where they transported him.”

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The two departments, including local paramedics, gave the teenager emergency care before he was transported.

The police department is still investigating the incident as they await information from the medical examiner’s office about the official cause of death.

The family organized a funeral for Tuesday, March 4, according to the GoFundMe page.

“Let’s come together to support Espoir’s family,” Hambike wrote, “demonstrating the love and care they need in this moment.”

source: people.com