Chartiers Valley student's death at basketball practice triggers grief, donations

A 12-year-old student from Chartiers Valley School District died Wednesday after collapsing at basketball practice, according to the Allegheny County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Jayson Kidd, of Bridgeville, collapsed during warm-ups at about 5 p.m. and was taken to a local hospital where he died. Kidd was a student at the district’s middle school.

The death was attributed to a natural cause involving a coronary artery, according to the medical examiner.

Jayson’s father Jay Kidd launched a GoFundMe page to raise money for his son’s funeral. Because he was 12 years old, Jayson did not have life insurance, his father said on the page.

“We never expected anything like this to happen to our family,” Kidd wrote. “Jayson’s heart stopped during basketball practice and they could not bring him back.”

As of 9:30 p.m. Thursday, donations through the page had reached nearly $47,000, far surpassing the $6,000 goal.

Superintendent Johannah Vanatta said in a message on the district’s website that the “Chartiers Valley family is deeply saddened by a tragic incident,” adding, “Out of respect for the family, we will not release any further details at this time.”

Vanatta wrote that she was confident the community would rise in support of the family.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family, friends, teammates, coaches, teachers and all of those affected by this tragedy,” Vanatta wrote.

A district crisis team was available to students and staff at the middle school on Thursday and will continue to offer services, as needed, on Friday.

Chartiers Valley includes Bridgeville, Heidelberg, Collier and Scott.

“We are raising money for his funeral,” Jayson’s father wrote on the GoFundMe page. ” My family appreciates any help we can get. Thank you all for the support.”