Police: Sachem student dies after ‘medical incident’ following band practice

<p>A 17-year-old Sachem High School North student died Monday after suffering a &ldquo;medical incident&rdquo; following a four-hour band practice, police say.</p>

News 12 Staff

Jul 17, 2018, 9:43 AM

Updated 2,274 days ago

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A 17-year-old Sachem High School North student died Monday after suffering a “medical incident” following a four-hour band practice, police say.
Authorities have not yet released the student’s name or the details surrounding her death.
Student Ryan Sojka says the would-be senior was a percussionist in the marching band, as well as a violin player in the orchestra. He says the band was trying to memorize music for an upcoming band camp.
The band practice was held at Sachem High School East. The school district said it lasted from about 5-9 p.m. and was held both indoors and outdoors.
Sojka says it was a routine practice.
“She was mostly inside because she plays mallet percussion, and they just stand in the front of the field and play music,” said Sojka.
School police are not releasing the girl's identity since they say she died of natural causes and there was no criminality involved.
This is the second student death in the Sachem School District in less than a year. Last August, 16-year-old Joshua Mileto died at Sachem East when he was hit in the head with a log during a football drill.