Navy recruit dies in boot camp

Navy recruit dies in boot camp


Stars and Stripes

Published: January 12, 2012

YOKOSUKA NAVAL BASE, Japan – A Navy boot camp recruit died after collapsing during physical training at Naval Station Great Lakes, Navy officials said Friday.

Seaman Recruit Christopher Walker, 19, of Kittanning, Pa., died during training at Recruit Training Command on Wednesday, according to a news release.

Walker collapsed during a 1½-mile run, the first part of a physical fitness test that also included push-ups and sit-ups, said Navy spokesman Mike Miller, according to a Chicago Tribune report on Thursday.

Walker had completed two earlier fitness tests, and the run was part of his last prior to next week’s graduation, Miller told the Chicago Tribune.

Lake County Coroner Artis Yancey told the Chicago Daily Herald that a cause of death couldn’t be determined following an autopsy Thursday. Yancey said his office had “a hunch” that Walker had undiagnosed diabetes, so toxicology tests focusing on Walker’s blood sugar levels would soon be administered, the Daily Herald reported.

Walker was pronounced dead at Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago at about 10 a.m. Wednesday, according to the Navy news release.

Navy officials are still investigating the details of the incident, officials said Friday.

Walker enlisted Nov. 16 and was scheduled to attend follow-on training as a machinist’s mate, Navy officials said.

Please read complete article at link  below:


http://www.stripes.com/news/us/navy-recruit-dies-in-boot-camp-1.165855

Editor's Note:  Catch that "a hunch" from Coroner Yancey.  After the Antonacci scandle, this Shark would not trust anything that comes out of the Lake County Coroner's office.  Lucius Verenus, Schoolmaster, ProbateSharks.com