Chaska boy in running club at school dies

Last update: October 11, 2008 - 12:20 AM

A 10-year-old Chaska boy who collapsed and later died after participating in a running club at his Eden Prairie school Friday afternoon was an athletic Cub Scout, a neighbor said.

Joshua Damptey collapsed at Oak Point Intermediate School around 2:30 p.m. Friday, according to an e-mail sent to district parents from the Eden Prairie Schools. He died shortly after at a local hospital, but his cause of death was not released by officials.

The fifth-grader had moved to Chaska about a year ago with his mother, Sylvia, and 7-year-old brother, Victor, but the boys had stayed in Eden Prairie schools. Joshua had previously attended Eden Lake Elementary School, and his brother attended Eagle Heights Spanish Immersion School.

"They were always polite, smiling and waving hi," said Brian Busch, who lived next door to the family. "He would ride his bike around happily."

The Eden Prairie School District will have social workers and counselors available for students to talk with Monday.

LORA PABST