Middletown 8th Grader Dies During After School Activity

An 8th grader from Middletown, Connecticut collapsed during an after school activity for the basketball team, the superintendent said.

Jose Trinidad was rushed to Middlesex Hospital and pronounced dead after collapsing in the gym of Woodrow Wilson Middle School on Thursday, Middletown Superintendent Patricia Charles said.

The basketball team was celebrating the end of the season.

"A smile and a joke," Charles said about Trinidad. "He wasn't the basketball star but he was such a leader because he never gave up."

Woodrow Wilson Middle School provided counseling for students and the community on Friday and Saturday. 

Friends of the family have set up a gofundme page to help pay for funeral costs. Those wishing to donate to that fund can do so here.

The Middletown Board of Education has also established a fund for the family. Those wishing to donate to that fund can send donations to:

Jose Trinidad Fund
c/o Middletown Board of Education
311 Hunting Hill Avenue
Middletown, CT 06457

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