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High school baseball player dies after teammate accidentally hit him with a bat during practice
Featured Image Credit: Facebook/ Gainesville High School Twitter/ @GCSSK12

High school baseball player dies after teammate accidentally hit him with a bat during practice

A high school baseball player has died after a teammate accidentally hit him with a bat during practice.

A high school baseball player has tragically died after a teammate accidentally hit him with a bat during practice.

On 20 November, Jeremy Medina, an 18-year-old at Gainesville High School, was tragically stuck on the head during a routine practice session.

Since then, the teen has been in hospital where he has been placed in a coma.

The school has said that the incident was purely an accident and that no foul play was involved.

Speaking to local media outlets, principal Jamie Green confirmed that Medina leaned into a batting cage net while a teammate was hitting balls.

"As the player followed through on his swing, Jeremy leaned into the net and was struck in the head," Green said.

"There is no horseplay, no misconduct, and no intent."

Medina was declared brain dead on Wednesday.
Gainesville High School

The baseball player has since been treated at Northeast Georgia Medical Center for his injuries.

However, on Wednesday (6 December), doctors tragically declared that Medina was brain dead.

Dr Michael Cormican, the director of Surgical Critical Care at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, told Fox5: "The initial trauma to his head was significant and caused him to lose consciousness, and as he lost consciousness, he lost his ability to maintain his airway."

Medina's family now plan to donate his organs - something the teen had previously said he wanted after applying for his divers licence.

His family are proud he decided to opt-in, with his father David Medina adding they are 'so grateful' for all the love and support from across the entire globe since Medina suffered the awful injury.

The local community has since rallied around Medina since the tragic incident, with one billboard asking residents to 'Pray for Jeremy' as his devastating prognosis became clear this week.

Medina was a standout player on the team.
Gainesville High School

Gainesville High School have also paid tribute to Medina with a post to Facebook.

They wrote: "The life of Jeremy Medina will forever impact the lives of our entire community. His passing will mean renewed life for many others as an organ donor. Please continue to pray for the Medina family. More information about Jeremy’s Honor Walk and Celebration of Life will be shared soon."

The school has said that staff and students have access to counsellors and social workers for as long as they need following the tragic event.

Rocks on campus have also been painted with the phrase 'Pray for Jeremy'.

Topics: US News, Health