The family of a Michigan teen is now mourning his sudden passing just after they thought he escaped the worst following a freak baseball game accident.
16-year-old Cooper Gardner was knocked unconscious during a junior varsity match on April 21 when he collided with another player at second base.
He was rushed to intensive care where he stayed for six days then to a regular hospital unit before being discharged.
He was recovering from his traumatic brain injury and undergoing physical, occupational, and speech therapy when he passed away early Sunday.
“I was really scared,” his father had told reporters. “He was out for over 40 minutes and I really thought I lost him.”
After his death, Bath High School Coach Michael Collins paid tribute to Gardner.
“If you had a bad day, you could go to practice and see his smiling face and all is right in the world,” he said.
“As smart as can be, had everything in front of him. Good student, humble kid…he was just way too young.”
