Kentucky teen athlete dies as a result of "natural causes"

By Carly O'Keefe - bio | email

BENTON, KY (KFVS) - Marshall County Deputy Coroner Barry Taylor reports a local teenager collapsed on the volleyball court from what he calls natural causes.

Tuesday afternoon, Marshall County High School sophomore Courtney Koehler and her teammates on a non-school related club volleyball team were practicing at Pathway Baptist Church when the 15 year old collapsed on the court.

"It's my understanding the athlete tried to stand up and thought she was okay and collapsed again," said Marshall County Superintendent Trent Lovett. "That was when the other young ladies realized it was something pretty serious."

Lovett says three other members of the team had just learned CPR last week in Health Career Sciences class and tried to revive their fallen teammate.

"They used CPR until the EMT's took over. They performed CPR all the way to the hospital, but it was to no avail," Lovett said.

At 5:12 p.m. Koehler passed away at Marshall County Hospital.

Wednesday, counselors were available to help Koehler's friends, classmates and teammates cope with the sudden loss.

Pastor Michael Donald spoke with the young girls who tried, but could not bring Koehler back.

"These young ladies, like anyone in that situation are taking ownership of the outcome," Donald said. "We just tried to share with them that they are not necessarily responsible for the outcome. They did what they could do."

"They've gone through something that most people never have to go through," said Lovett. "To be able to perform on her, knowing that's one of their friends too, it was very admirable of those young ladies."

Funeral arrangements for Courtney Koehler have been set at Collier Funeral Home in Benton, KY. Visitation will be Friday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Services will be held Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the Marshall County High School Performing Arts Center.

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