Toshaye Pope, 14, identified as Ellet football player who drowned during team outing

An Ellet high school football player died in a drowning accident Thursday during a team outing.

The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office on Monday morning identified the student as Toshaye Pope, 14,

The student-athlete was with the football team for an outing at Melanie Lake in Uniontown, Akron Public Schools spokesman Mark Williamson said.

Williamson said an internal investigation between the school’s athletics and administrative departments will determine the details of the accident.

“The Akron Public Schools family is saddened by the news of the passing of this young man and has begun an inquiry into just what happened,” APS Superintendent Christine Fowler Mack said in a statement. “We are offering grief counseling and ask for prayers for the family.”

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“We don’t exactly know what happened except that he was underwater for a good amount of time,” Williamson said.

The student was taken to Akron Children’s Hospital, where he died Saturday, according to the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office.

At least 10 other APS students have died since the beginning of the 2021-2022 school year, Williamson said.

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Melanie Park, originally called Lake Kim Tam, is a private swim park on Canton Road. In addition to swimming, the park features camping and special events.

Shannon Coan contributed to this report. Reach Doug Livingston at dlivignston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.

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This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Toshaye Pope drowns during outing with Ellet football team