Zim boy (16) dies on school trip in SA

Johannesburg - What was supposed to have been a fun outing for a White River, Mpumalanga, private school turned into a tragedy when a 16-year-old boy died during the excursion.

Tinotenda "Tino" Chitando, a Grade 10 pupil at Uplands College, died on Wednesday while on a 3km hike during the school's annual "Grade 10 Journey".  The excursion, held within a 70km radius of the school, involves pupils being split into four groups, two of girls and two of boys, and the journey entails a hike, bike and canoe experience.
 
The cause of his death is not yet known.  According to the headmaster, Austin Clarke, Tino approached the group leader during the hike to say he was not feeling well.
 
"He sat down, and despite all the efforts that were applied by the leader, who is well qualified in first aid, his health slowly deteriorated. "The emergency medics arrived and continued resuscitation procedures.
 
"He was rushed by overland ambulance to a hospital where it was confirmed that he had passed away."  Asked whether anything could have been done to prevent Tino's death, the school said there was nothing because he was not doing anything strenuous and neither did he fall.
 
"The school leadership have met with the Journey organising team and key involved parents and are satisfied that this incident was not caused by undue physical stress to Tino, and that appropriate steps are in place to ensure proper hydration, nutrition and personal safety."
 
Tino, from Zimbabwe, joined the school this year. He was the third pupil to die while on a school outing this year.  Several others have been injured.