April 18, 2008 20-year-old Mass. woman dies cheerleading Play video

(NECN) - Concerns about cheerleading in Central Massachusetts. They come after a Massachusetts woman died.

On Monday, 20-year-old Lauren Chang of Newton died from injuries suffered at a cheerleading competition at the DCU Center in Worcester.

The cause is under investigation, but reports say Chang was accidentally kicked by another cheerleader while performing a stunt. The accident caused her lungs to collapse.

Loretta Andre coaches the Shepherd Hill Regional high school cheerleaders, a nationally ranked team.

She says Chang was competing on an All Star team, which performs more complicated routines than the high school level.

Andre says on all levels of cheerleading, rules are constantly changed to ensure the safety of athletes.

For high schools, the National Federation of State High School Associations annually reviews injuries to see if certain stunts should be banned.

Many cheerleading injuries are minor...a sprained wrist or ankle.

While Andre says she doesn't want to discourage anyone from the sport, this week's accident raises a red flag.