A teen hit by a softball has died in a freak accident.

Taylor Dorman was a sophomore at Ramona High School in San Diego, and sadly passed away when he was hit by a softball during morning P.E. class.

Dorman passed away on his 16th birthday and his death has brought grief to his small community.

The teen was okaying over-the-line with others when he was hit at 11 a.m. He reportedly continued to play the game and had shown no signs of fatal injury. According to assistant principal Kathryn Gunderson, he had even joked to the student who had thrown the ball.

However, Dorman collapsed after 20 minutes after walking from one end of the school's football field to the other.

The paramedics were called right away and he was stabilized and flown to Palomar Medical Center. However, he died a few hours later.

The sudden death has shocked the school.

"We are very saddened by this news. ... Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends," school principal Tony Newman said.

Counselors were made available for students dealing with the sudden death of their friend/classmate.

A candlelit vigil was held Wednesday night for Dorman.

Friends of Dorman expressed their grief and sadness. "He was never mean to anybody; totally the guy who walks up and cheers up your day. He's a jokester," said Nayar Findley, his best friend.

"He's just been like everyone's brother and best friend, caring and thoughtful," said Ella Evans, who had been friends with Dorman since the second grade. "Just being around him was the best part. The way he'd flip his long hair. He's just beenlike everyone's brother and best friend, caring and thoughtful. Just being around him was the best part. The way he'd flip his long hair."

It is rare for a young person to die after being hit by a ball. However, it has happened before where youngsters were killed after bat and ball games.

An impact to a specific spot on the chest can cause a sudden irregular heartbeat, according to an article in the journal

Pediatrics, a publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The impact to a specific spot on the chest, at a certain point in the heart rhythm, can cause sudden, irregular heartbeat, after a seemingly inconsequential blow, the article states.

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