COLBERT, Wash. -- Tragedy struck Northwest Christian High School, just days before the start of classes.
Sturdent Josh Wright, 16, died just before midnight on Sunday during a late-night training run with his cross country team.
For a family so tied to the school, the death hits extremely hard. Josh’s father has been the school caretaker for over a decade, so the Wright’s actually live on campus. A campus, that on Tuesday, was in mourning.
Josh was a happy 16-year-old who never stopped talking, who was heavily involved in his church, and who without warning, passed away. Late Sunday night, school officials say Josh was with his cross country team for an overnight practice. It’s an annual and almost social event for the runners. While the students were doing a warm-up lap, Josh collapsed. He could not be brought back.
Fern Farnell use to be a neighbor of the Wrights who described the teen as a “very kind boy” who always had a smile on his face. The Farnell’s remember Josh as a 2-year-old. They remember when his parents lived right next door and when Josh would play in their yard. Willard Farnell says he saw Josh Sunday, and then later that night the teen was gone.
The Farnell’s have tried to lend support to their neighbors, even though there isn’t much they can do. Fern says she took cookies and brownies to the family because Josh loved them.
Early indications are Josh had an irregular heartbeat that no one knew about.
