A congenital heart defect caused the Wednesday afternoon death of a 14-year-old Chapel Hill High School (CHHS) freshman athlete, according to Douglas County Coroner Randy Daniel.

William Darrin Davis had just finished track practice and was participating with other students in a fundraising scavenger hunt about 5 p.m. when he collapsed.

“The coach immediately began CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and the EMTs (emergency medical technicians) were on the scene within four minutes and took over,” said Zach Spencer, Douglas County athletic and safety director.

Davis was pronounced dead about 6:30 p.m. after being taken to the WellStar Douglas Hospital emergency room, Daniel said.

Daniel said a Thursday autopsy at the State Crime Lab ruled the death resulted from a cardiac arrhythmia.

“They found he had an enlarged heart and a congenital abnormality of the left coronary artery, so that his heart wasn’t getting sufficient blood flow,” Daniel said.

“Our foremost thoughts and prayers are with his family,” Spencer said after a Thursday morning meeting with CHHS students. “We’re here to meet the needs of the family, students and staff.”

CHHS Principal Sean Kelly said teachers were notified about the death Wednesday night and a crisis team of school counselors was assembled for the Thursday morning meeting with students.

“We made an announcement to the students this morning,” he said. “We’re trying to serve any students who need assistance.”

Kelly said he would talk with students and teachers about a possible memorial service at the school. Flags were flying outside the school at half staff Thursday.

Meanwhile, Daniel said he’s going to contact Georgia state legislators to see if a law can be passed requiring heart testing as part of the physical examination that high school athletes must take before participating in sports.

“It hurts me to see these young kids dying when testing could prevent it,” Daniel said Thursday afternoon. “This is the third death (of student athletes) in the last five years in Douglas County due to heart problems.”

The state currently requires high school athletes to have a physical examination performed by a medical doctor, but the exam doesn’t include a heart screen, Spencer said.