Report: Former Harrison HS football player dies in park accident
GROVE OAK, Ala. - A former student and football player at Harrison High School in Kennesaw has died after an incident in a park in Alabama, according to a report from WAFF in Alabama.
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Mason Tompkins, 18, of Acworth, was identified as the victim by the coroner in DeKalb County, Alabama, according to the report.
The incident occurred at High Falls Park around 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Park officials have told WAFF that witnesses claim the teen jumped from the top of the waterfall and hit his head on the way down.
The teen's body was located two hours later when a rescue squad was called in on a recovery mission, according to WAFF.
Family members told FOX 5 Atlanta that his former teammates gathered at Harrison High School around 8:30 p.m. to throw a football around and remember their friend.
"He was just one of those guys that just brightens up your day," said former teammate Trey Iorillo. "He is nice to everyone. You could talk all day long about anything. He's one of the coolest guys I've ever met."
Former teammates of Tompkins found out the sad news from a group text, and told FOX 5 that he was getting ready to go to college on a football scholarship.
"He was always a good teammate," said former teammate Darius Clark. "You loved when you patted him on the back and gave him a little upside."
Matt Dickmann, the football coach at Harrison High School, said that Tompkins recently graduated from Harrison High School. The school is located at 4500 Due West Rd NW in Kennesaw.
In a statement released Monday, Dickmann expressed condolences for the family:
"Our Hoya Family grieves at the loss of one of our own, Mason Tompkins #75, Class of 2017. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his family, fellow players, and friends. Please keep this sweet family in your hearts and prayers."
Dickmann added that the family will receive friends of Tompkins on May 12, between either 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. or 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at West Cobb Funeral Home in Marietta. The funeral will be a "private, family only affair," Dickmann wrote.