Chickasha High School Football Player Critical After Collapsing at Practice

By Rusty Surette, NEWS 9

CHICKASHA, Oklahoma -- A Chickasha High School varsity football player is in the hospital recovering from a heat stroke-related illness, according to school officials.

Kody Turner, 16, collapsed Tuesday afternoon following football practice which included sprints. The junior was rushed to a hospital in Chickasha and was later taken by a medical helicopter to OU's Children's Hospital in Oklahoma City.

A spokesperson for the hospital said Turner was still listed in critical condition Tuesday afternoon.

"School personnel has been up checking on Kody. We can't go into a lot of details on his condition right now, but our prayers and thoughts are with Kody and his family and we hope for a speedy recovery," said Chickasha Public Schools Assistant Superintendent Pete Bush.

According to a CDC report, since 1995, 31 high school football players have died from heat stroke.

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