A referee collapsed and passed away during halftime of a junior varsity boys basketball game in Pennsylvania Friday night.

“Michael Roebuck, 45, a first-year official from New Stanton, was about to take the court for the second half of a game between Yough and Mt. Pleasant when he dropped to the floor,” the Tribune-Review reports.

Mount Pleasant school Superintendent Timothy Gabauer issued a statement Saturday morning about the referee’s sudden passing.

“Our school community is deeply saddened by the death of Mr. Roebuck that occurred during halftime of the Junior Varsity basketball game,” the statement said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

“Despite the immediate medical response and efforts of our first responders, Mr. Roebuck tragically passed away due to the severity of the emergency. Our thoughts, prayers and deepest of sympathies are with Mr. Roebuck’s family and friends,” the statement said.

A message was left with the Westmoreland County coroner seeking more information.

A cause of death hasn’t been publicly disclosed.

The Tribune-Review reports:

Westmoreland County officials chapter assigner Bernie George said paramedics tried to resuscitate Roebuck for nearly an hour but he died on the way to the hospital. The cause of death is pending.

Another referee at the game, Michael Fleming, said officials were leaving the dressing room when Roebuck collapsed.

“The first thing I thought of was we have to get him help,” Fleming said. “I ran out to get a trainer.

“It was chaos. I just met the guy. The Mt. Pleasant people did an excellent job.”

Fleming said Mt. Pleasant Superintendent Tim Gabauer told him Roebuck died.

“This is terrible,” George said. “He was new, and I saw him recently and he said how much he enjoyed officiating. This puts what we do in perspective.”

Mt. Pleasant athletic director Allan Bilinsky said that when it was discovered what happened, fans were moved from the gym to the cafeteria and the teams went to the locker rooms.

The second half of the game was canceled, and the varsity game that was supposed to follow was postponed.

A 14-year-old girl from Illinois tragically died after collapsing during a high school basketball game.

14-Year-Old Girl Passes Away After Collapsing During High School Basketball Game

Amari Crite, a freshman girls’ basketball player at Momence High School, died during a junior varsity game against Tri-Point.

“The 14-year-old starter was participating in the basketball game and, according to those familiar with the event, Amari was heading to the defensive end of the basketball court when she collapsed,” Daily Journal reports.

Her cause of death is currently unavailable.

The Kankakee County Coroner’s Office reportedly said the cause of death is pending further study.

 

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