Middle school football player dies from head injury; second this week
MADISON, W.Va. - 13-year-old Cohen Craddock, a defensive lineman for Madison Middle School in West Virginia, died over the weekend from a head injury sustained during practice.
This tragedy marks the second football-related death from a head injury in just one week. Cohen was injured while making a tackle on Friday, and although he initially stood up afterward, he soon lost consciousness.
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Despite efforts to save him, Cohen passed away on Saturday due to brain bleeding and swelling.
How did the injury occur?
During a routine football practice at Madison Middle School, Cohen Craddock suffered a severe head injury while making a tackle. After the collision, Cohen briefly got back on his feet but quickly lost consciousness.
His father, Ryan Craddock, reported that Cohen’s oxygen levels were critically low while en route to the hospital. Despite medical intervention, Cohen’s injuries proved fatal, leaving his family and community devastated.
How is the community responding?
The death of Cohen Craddock has left a profound impact on the Madison Middle School community. Boone County Schools Superintendent Matthew Riggs announced that counseling and other support services would be made available to help students, faculty, and staff cope with the loss.
Madison Middle School Principal Shann Elkins remembered Cohen as a "wonderful, polite, and smart young man" who was deeply cherished by the school community.