Cook County Medical Examiner identifies Curtis Walton as student drown in Calumet New Tech High School pool
Natalia Derevyanny, a Cook County medical examiner’s office spokeswoman, spoke to the press to identify Curtis Walton Jr. as the student found dead in the Calumet New Tech High School pool in Gary, Indiana on Wednesday.
Walton, 14, was unresponsive as drowning was suspected as the school on the 100 block of West 47th Avenue in Gary.
According to witnesses, the pool was opened to players after football practice. At some point, the 14-year-old was discovered at the bottom of the pool,” a post on the sheriff’s Facebook page said.
“They just came in from football practice you know it was very hot and humid yesterday and the coach let them go in for to cool off,” said Lake Ridge New Tech Schools Superintendent Sharon Johnson-Shirley.
Walton first was treated at Community Hospital in Munster but the Lake County coroner’s office said he later was flown by air ambulance to a hospital outside the county, and Derevyanny said he died at a Cook County hospital.
“We had people on guard,” Superintendent Johnson-Shirley said. “The coach as a matter of fact was in the seat to look over the students and he saw two other students going down to bring this kid up.”
Counselors at Calumet New Tech High School were being made available to faculty and students Thursday.
“Right now, my attention is on my students and our coaches because they are really, really not doing well this morning and I am not either,” Johnson-Shirley said.
Walton was a senior and member of the varsity football team.
Detectives are still investigating and trying to determine exactly what led up to the incident.
Gary Community School Corporation posted support on Facebook: “The Gary Community School Corporation extends its heartfelt sympathy to the Calumet New Tech family and the Lake Ridge Schools over the tragic loss of one your students. You are in our thoughts and prayers!”
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