Middle school student dies after injury during football practice leaves him unconscious

MADISON, W.Va. (WSAZ/Gray News) – A West Virginia community is mourning the loss of a middle school student who died Saturday.

Cohen Craddock, an eighth-grader at Madison Middle School in Madison, died Saturday after sustaining injuries during football practice on Friday.

According to Joseph Smith, executive director of the Boone County Ambulance Authority, paramedics responded to Madison Middle School on Friday to treat a football player who had suffered a head injury. Craddock was then taken to the hospital for further treatment.

According to the Boone County Ambulance Authority, Craddock succumbed to his injuries on Saturday.

Boone County Superintendent Matthew Riggs released a statement on behalf of the schools. It reads in part: “The entire Boone County Schools community begins to mourn the loss of Cohen Craddock, an eighth-grader at Madison Middle School. As a Redhawk, Cohen was loved by his classmates, his teachers, his principals and the entire Madison Middle School staff. Cohen was also a member and leader of the Redhawks football team… Our thoughts and prayers are with Cohen's family, friends, teammates, classmates and the entire MMS staff. While our thoughts and prayers are with Cohen's family, we ask the community to do the same so that his family can find healing, comfort, protection and strength.”

Riggs said numerous support measures will be in place for middle school students, athletes, teachers and staff starting Monday.

“The staff, students and football team at Madison Middle School would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of love, support, kindness and care we have received from so many people from across the state, region and country,” said Shann Elkins, principal of Madison Middle School. “It has been overwhelming and comforting during this time of grief. We want everyone to know that Cohen was a wonderful, polite and smart young man who was an important part of our school family.”

Several communities in the area expressed their support for Craddock's family, friends and school.

In a Facebook post, Roane County High School asked its county and community for support through prayers.

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