Kentucky high school student dies after collapsing at softball tryouts
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- 15-year-old Russell County freshman collapsed during softball tryouts and died.
- Coroner identified pulmonary embolism as cause after autopsy confirmed lung blood clot.
- School and teammates issued statements expressing grief and support for the family.
A 15-year-old Kentucky high school student died Monday after collapsing at her school’s softball tryouts, according to Russell County Coroner Mark Coots.
Brylie Northcutt, a freshman at Russell County High School, had a pulmonary embolism in her lung, which caused her death, Coots said. A pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening blood clot that blocks blood flow to an artery in the lung, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The incident happened sometime Monday afternoon. Coots said Northcutt complained of shortness of breath before collapsing, and she was taken to a hospital, where she later died.
An autopsy was conducted Tuesday, which found the blood clot in her lung.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Brylie’s family, friends, classmates, and the entire Laker family during this very difficult time,” Russell County High School said in a Facebook post.
The Russell County Middle School softball team said it was devastated to learn of Northcutt’s death.
“Looking back over the past three years, we are so grateful for all the (laughs), every high-five, and every moment that we spent on the dirt as a team,” the team said in a Facebook post.
This story was originally published February 17, 2026 at 1:52 PM.
