Melbourne Grammar School student dies after collapsing at rowing training
The 17-year-old Melbourne student collapsed after finishing a training session on a rowing machine.
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A Year 12 student at a Melbourne private school has died after he “unexpectedly collapsed” during rowing training.
Melbourne Grammar student Ed Millear is understood to have collapsed after finishing an exercises session on a rowing machine at the school’s boat shed on Boathouse Drive on the city’s Yarra River on Tuesday afternoon, the Herald Sun reports.
The 17-year-old immediately received CPR from a staff member before he was rushed to The Alfred hospital in a critical condition and placed on a ventilator.
He died at 3am on Wednesday morning surrounded by family.
“Ed was a loving boy, loved by his family and friends, adored school and loved rowing,” his family said in a statement to the Herald Sun.
In a statement on Wednesday, Melbourne Grammar headmaster Phillip Grutzner said the school community was mourning a “wonderful young man, taken far too soon”.
“He was a cheerful, friendly and easy-going person who demonstrated great care and empathy for his fellow students and for others through enthusiastic participation in service activities,” Mr Grutzner said in the statement, acknowledging the school has chosen not to name the student out of respect for the family.
Mr Grutzner went on to remember Mr Millear, who started at the school in Year 7 in 2020, as a “keen rugby player” and “valued member” of the Second XIII rowing crew.
“In relation to his studies, he was hardworking and diligent. He aspired to a career in the commerce sector in the future.”
Mr Grutzner said the school will continue to provide support to the teenager’s family over the coming days and months. Other students will also receive support as “they come to terms with the loss of their friend”, he said.
Mr Millear had recently competed in Nagambie and was set to race at the Australian Henley Regatta this weekend.
The Millear family have a long connection to the prestigious school, with a house named after Mr Millear’s grandfather and his great great great grandfather graduating from the school in 1884.
Mr Grutzner earlier confirmed the tragedy in an email on Wednesday morning.
“At rowing training yesterday a year 12 student unexpectedly collapsed at our boat house on the Yarra River,” the email read.
“He was treated immediately with first aid on-site with paramedics administering CPR soon after.”
Mr Grutzner said the 17-year-old was transported to hospital “where he received expert care from the medical staff”.
“It is with great sadness that I regret to inform you that he died at 3am this morning, we will continue to provide supports with family and the rest of the school community who affected his time.”
Students were seen comforting each other at the school on Wednesday.
Melbourne Grammar, which has about 2,000 students, flew its flags at half-mast and held an assembly on Wednesday, The Age reports.
School sports were also cancelled.
News.com.au has contacted Melbourne Grammar School for comment.
Originally published as Melbourne Grammar School student dies after collapsing at rowing training
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