Eunice Primary School Principal Cindy Harris tells OFM News the deceased, Melinde Odendaal, was a grade seven learner and all-round sports star at the school. She was known for being proficient at multiple sporting disciplines including track, netball and hockey. 

The circumstances surrounding her death yesterday are sketchy but Harris has confirmed Malinde was competing in the Motheo Cross Country League on the University of the Free State’s Bloemfontein campus when she collapsed and emergency medical services were called. The event is organised by Free State Cross Country.

OFM News has been informed the learner allegedly suffered from an asthma attack and emergency medical services tried to resuscitate her for quite some time. This is yet to be confirmed. 

Free State Education Spokesperson, Howard Ndaba, promised to comment once he’d received information on the situation. 

An emotional Harris tells OFM News the school is still quite shocked at the news and she sends her condolences to the learner’s family and friends.

OFM News