A Shoreham-Wading River football player died Wednesday night after sustaining a head injury during an afternoon game in Elwood.
Tom Cutinella, 16, a varsity guard/linebacker, was pronounced dead at Huntington Hospital following emergency surgery.
He had been injured in a collision during the third quarter of a game at John Glenn High School. The game was suspended after Cutinella was taken off the field by an ambulance crew shortly after 6 p.m.
“The Shoreham-Wading River Board of Education and Administration are truly devastated by this awful news and we all extend our deepest condolences to Tom’s family and friends during this difficult time,” district superintendent Steven Cohen said in a written statement.
The 11th grader had played football with the Wildcats since his freshman year; this was his first year on varsity, Cohen said. He also played lacrosse.
Cutinella’s coaches, teammates and friends gathered at Huntington Hospital last night, awaiting news of the boy’s condition. It was an emotional scene when a hospital representative announced that Cutinella had passed away. See Newsday.
“He had a great sense of humor and was just a great individual overall. He was well-liked among students and staff and he will truly be missed,” Cohen said in written statement.
Grief counselors will be made available to students and staff, Cohen said.
