News

Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood reports his office is investigating a death of a young boy on Monday evening. The Meigs County EMS responded to a call at 7:19 pm at Eastern High School in reference to a medical emergency with a subject not breathing. EMS transported 9-year-old Wyatt Barber to the Meigs Emergency Room where he passed away.

Sheriff Wood states that his office is conducting an investigation into what happened as with any reported deaths received to his office. Wood states that the boy was participating in the Big Bend Youth Football League and were practicing at the school location when the players had taken a break from running sprints. At that time is when a coach discovered the boy on the ground unconscious.

The practice at that time was just a walk through practice and not a contact practice. Coaches immediately contacted EMS and started CPR on the boy before being transported to the Emergency Room.

Meigs County Coroner Dr. Douglas Hunter was contacted and met officers at the hospital.

Eastern Local School Superintendent Scott Gheen released the following statement:

“The staff, students, and community of Eastern Local would like to express our sincere condolences to the family during this very unfortunate time. The school has put in place grief counseling services to assist the students and staff in need. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time.”

Friends of the Barber family have created a GoFundMe account to help pay the Eastern Local School student’s funeral costs.