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Cardiac arrest, head injury killed Pike County football player

<p>Dylan Thomas was injured in a game Friday night and was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta for surgery. He later died from his injuries.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;</p>

Credit: � 2018 Cox Media Group.

Credit: � 2018 Cox Media Group.

<p>Dylan Thomas was injured in a game Friday night and was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta for surgery. He later died from his injuries.&nbsp;<br /> &nbsp;</p>
By Marlon A. Walker
Oct 9, 2018

Pike County High School football player Dylan Thomas' official cause of death is cardiac arrest due to a traumatic brain injury from a hit deemed "an anomaly," Pike County's coroner said Tuesday.

Dylan, a junior inside linebacker, died Sept. 30 after collapsing suddenly during a football game against Peach County High School in Zebulon two days earlier.

Pike County Coroner Terrell Moody’s report said an official signaled for play to stop about 9:20 p.m. during the game’s third quarter.

“At that time, Dylan was standing, with assistance, and verbally communicating with this official,” Moody wrote. “Trainers from both sidelines responded and both trainers verbally communicated with Dylan. Dylan indicated a loss of feeling in his left leg and was alert and responsive to all questions asked of him. Dylan was assisted to the sideline with the help of a teammate and the Pike County trainer.”

ExploreAn ambulance was requested seven minutes later, as the teen’s condition began to quickly deteriorate.

He was airlifted to Grady Memorial in Atlanta with a head injury, where he was pronounced dead.

“Medical staff at Grady described to Dylan’s parents the nature of the injury as an anomaly, requiring the perfect amount of pressure on the perfect spot at the perfect angle,” Moody wrote.

About the Author

Marlon A. Walker is an education reporter covering DeKalb County.

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