AP Online
05-06-1998
KALISPELL, Mont. (AP) _ A 16-year-old Kalispell boy died Tuesday of brain
injuries after a pole vaulting accident.
Joel Heuscher, a freshman at Kalispell Junior High, was taken to Kalispell
Regional Medical Center Monday afternoon after what appeared to be a normal
vault, said Gene Boyle, athletic director at Flathead High School.
Paul Jorgensen, Heuscher's pole vault coach, said Heuscher was vaulting with
a new pole when he landed at the far end of the foam pit and rolled off.
Coaches went to his aid when he did not get up.
Jorgensen said Heuscher was not breathing and head coach Dan Hodge
administered CPR until an ambulance arrived.
Heuscher's parents, Sandy and Larry Heuscher, asked that he be removed from
life support at noon Tuesday.
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