Teen Gets Struck by Softball in Gym Class, Dies 20 Minutes Later

Taylor Dorman, 16. (KSWB-TV)

A California teenager is dead after being struck in the chest by a softball during gym class, KSWB-TV reports.

High school sophomore Taylor Dorman, 16, was playing a softball game called "Over the Line" when he was hit in the chest with a ball around 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday, Ramona High School principal Tony Newman said. He collapsed 20 minutes later.

“After being hit Taylor complained of his chest hurting then he collapsed,” Newman added.

A helicopter reportedly landed on the high school's athletic field and transported Dorman to Palomar Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

Wednesday was Dorman's 16th birthday. Students and school officials gathered Wednesday night to mourn his death and celebrate his birthday.

Dorman's friends were clearly shaken by the freak tragedy.

“We had planned our lives together. We were going to play football for another two years and then join the military,” Chris Hartness, one of Dorman’s best friends, told KSWB-TV. “Now that’s all gone.”

The cause of death has not been released.