A 15-year-old runner from Tennessee tragically died Tuesday while jogging in his neighborhood.
Tristen Franklin — from Sycamore High School in the Nashville suburbs — lost his balance during his usual afternoon run when temperatures soared above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
His neighbor, Troy Simpkins, said he saw Franklin during his daily run and didn’t think anything was wrong until another neighbor frantically called his husband to help the sick teen.
Despite life-saving efforts, Franklin succumbed to his injuries. The cause of death has not yet been released as the coroner continues his investigation.
The community mourned the loss of the young athlete and extended its condolences to his family and friends.
Tristen Franklin, 15, of Sycamore High School in Cheatham County, lost his balance during his usual afternoon run when temperatures soared above 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
His neighbor, Troy Simpkins, said he saw Franklin out on his usual run and thought nothing was unusual until his husband was called by another neighbor to help the dying teen.
“My heart just goes out to them. I mean, it’s so sad. He was so young and had his whole life ahead of him,” Simpkins said. “Tell the people in your life how much you love them.”
The Cheatham County School District released a statement expressing its sadness and offering counseling to students and staff affected by the loss.
“Our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to the student’s family and friends during this difficult time. The impact of such a loss is immeasurable,” a school district spokesperson shared.
Other young athletes have also suffered fatal accidents on the field this summer as temperatures continued to rise.
Earlier this month, 15-year-old Ovet Gomez Regalado, a high school football player in Missouri, tragically passed away after suffering a medical emergency following a practice in 100-degree Fahrenheit heat earlier this week.
The student, a sophomore at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Kansas City, was found in critical condition when Johnson County Med-Act emergency responders responded to the school at 5:25 p.m. on Aug. 14 — after reporters reported the “medical emergency.”
Other young athletes have suffered fatal accidents on the field this summer as temperatures remained high
The 15-year-old participated in the off-season soccer practice for the school team, where he had played since his freshman year.
According to sports statistics published online, Ovet played both offensive and defensive roles, including nose guard, defensive tackle, center and guard.
SMNW Director Lisa Gruman remembered Regalado as a “warm and wonderful student who touched the hearts of so many people in our community.”