Toronto boy injured in school rugby game remains unconscious in hospital

TORONTO – A 16-year-old boy remained unconscious and fighting for his life in hospital Friday after suffering serious head injuries in a school rugby game.

“We’re waiting and we certainly remain extremely hopeful,” said Mary Jo Deighan, a spokeswoman for the Catholic school board.

The injury occurred Thursday afternoon in a junior boys’ rugby game at Pope John Paul II High School.

Wesley Jorisch was carrying the ball up the side of the field when he was tackled on the side by another player and knocked unconscious.

“It wasn’t a head-on tackle, that’s why everyone was in shock that it was as bad as it was,” said league convener Eva Roser. “It wasn’t a malicious tackle; it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary.”

The Grade 10 student had no vital signs when emergency crews arrived, police said, but paramedics were able to stabilize him on the way to Sunnybrook hospital.

Police are calling the incident an unfortunate accident after a normal rugby play and are not investigating any criminal charges.

In 2007, a 15-year-old Mississauga, Ont., high school student died of injuries received during a school rugby game.

Manny Castillo, who attended Lorne Park Secondary School, died several days later.

A trial found a 16-year-old opposing player guilty of manslaughter for picking Manny up and slamming him to the ground in the final moments of the game.

He was sentenced to a year’s probation and 100 hours of community service.