Toshaye Pope, 14, identified as Akron student who drowned during Ellet football team outing
A football player died after a drowning accident Thursday during an outing with the Ellet high school football program.
The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office on Monday morning identified the student as Toshaye Pope, 14.
The student-athlete was with the football team for an outing at Melanie Lake in Uniontown, Akron Public Schools spokesman Mark Williamson said.
Toshaye was an incoming freshman at Akron Early College High School, which does not have a football team. Students at any of the specialty schools in the district are permitted to play sports at the high school that is considered their home school, Williamson said.
According to a GoFundMe post by Victoria Washington, Toshaye and 29 other students were taken to the lake by a football coach. The coach then went home to grab a grill, the post said.
Washington wrote that her son was not a strong swimmer and that life-saving measures were already taking place when the coach got back to the lake.
Williamson said an internal investigation by the school's athletics and administrative departments will determine the details of the accident.
“The Akron Public Schools family is saddened by the news of the passing of this young man and has begun an inquiry into just what happened," APS Superintendent Christine Fowler Mack said in a statement. "We are offering grief counseling and ask for prayers for the family.”
School board members paused for a moment of silence for Toshaye during their meeting Monday evening.
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"We don't exactly know what happened except that he was underwater for a good amount of time," Williamson said.
Toshaye was taken to Akron Children's Hospital, where he died Saturday, according to the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office.
At least 10 other APS students have died since the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, Williamson said.
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Community members are offering prayers and condolences on social media for Toshaye's family and the Ellet football program.
"He was a good kid full of laughter. My condolence," one woman wrote on Facebook.
Another Facebook user shared: "I'm so incredibly sorry for the loss of this young man. He went to school with my Daughter n her friend's n I know they all loved him. My heart goes out to ALL his family and friends I'm incredibly sorry for your loss. Prayers to you all."
Melanie Park, originally called Lake Kim Tam, is a private swim park on Canton Road. In addition to swimming, the park features camping and special events.
Shannon Coan contributed to this report. Reach Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.
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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Toshaye Pope drowns during outing with Ellet football team
