The Southern California soccer community is in mourning after a 12-year-old boy tragically passed away after collapsing during a team practice session.
Adriel Enriquez, described by loved ones as a boy who brought ‘light, energy and joy’, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while playing soccer on February 26.
A GoFundMe campaign has since been launched in honor of Enriquez. Describing the harrowing ordeal, it reads: ‘What began as a typical afternoon on the field turned into every parent’s worst nightmare when Enriquez collapsed in front of his coaches.’
Despite the efforts of emergency responders, Adriel could not be revived, leaving his parents Ricky and Brenda and his two brothers, Axel and Arley, devastated.
Paramedics were sent to the scene at about 8:40 pm, said San Bernardino County Fire Department Capt. Eric Sherwin, and rushed Adriel to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
In a social media post, his uncle Joshua Gutierrez wrote: ‘Adriel had no medical issues that we were aware of, and his passing was unexpected and an absolute shock.’
Adriel Enriquez suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while playing soccer on February 26
A GoFundMe has been set up by the family ‘to help ‘cover funeral expenses, time away from work, and provide breathing room as they focus on grieving, healing’
Meanwhile, the GoFundMe campaign description read: ‘Our family is grieving the sudden and heartbreaking loss of Adriel, a 12-year-old boy who brought light, energy, and joy everywhere he went.
‘He was a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, a cousin, and hearing him call me ‘tio’ truly warmed my heart.
‘Adriel loved soccer. It wasn’t just something he played, it was something he truly loved. He showed up with heart, with passion, and with a smile.
‘Tragically, Adriel collapsed during soccer practice, went into cardiac arrest, and passed away,’ the post read.
According to the National Weather Service, Enriquez died during a spell of unusually warm weather in South California after temperatures peaked at 88 degrees.
At the time of writing, the GoFundMe campaign has raised over $59,000. The goal is set to $65,000 to help ‘cover funeral expenses, time away from work, and provide breathing room as they focus on grieving, healing, and being there for Axel and Arley.’