Ramona High School student dies after being struck with softball during gym class

RAMONA (CNS) – Students, faculty and staff returned to Ramona High
School with heavy hearts Thursday, one day after a sophomore was fatally struck in
the chest by a softball during a morning physical education class.

Taylor Dorman was playing “over-the-line,” a game similar to softball
during the 11 o'clock hour on Wednesday, when he was struck, according to
school officials, who said Dorman initially appeared fine and even joked about
the hit.

But 20 minutes later, he collapsed on campus and was airlifted to
Palomar Medical Center, where he died a few hours later.

“Upon admission to the emergency department, the decedent had an
irregular heartbeat and was taken into the intensive care unit,” according to
a statement from the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office. “He failed to
(respond) to numerous attempts to stabilize his heart rhythm and his mother was
advised of his grim prognosis due to prolonged resuscitative efforts.

“Lifesaving measures were discontinued and death was pronounced,” the
statement concluded.

Wednesday also happened to be Dorman's 16th birthday.

Grief counselors were on-hand today to help students and school
personnel deal with their grief, according to RHS's website.

Navar Findley, 15, described Dorman as his best friend.

He was passionate about two things — surfing and video games, Findley
told U-T San Diego, noting Dorman also was kind to everyone, had a great sense
of humor and loved his dog, a large Chihuahua named Biggie Smalls.

“He was never mean to anybody; totally the guy who walks up and cheers
up your day,” Findley said.