Bucyrus teen dies after basketball injury
BUCYRUS – Noah Lear, the 16-year old Bucyrus boy who was injured in a pickup basketball game 18 days ago, succumbed to his injuries Wednesday morning.
At 8:25 a.m. Wednesday, the Battle of the Lear Facebook page dedicated to him posted an update: "After fighting valiantly for 18 days, Noah has taken his last breath. He is no longer in pain.”
Lear was playing basketball with three of his friends at the Calvary Baptist Church on Marion Road when a dunk attempt snapped the support pole, causing the pole, backboard and hoop to come crashing down on Lear’s head and neck.
He was flown to Nationwide Children’s Hospital and later moved to hospice care. He succumbed to his injuries Wednesday morning. According to the Facebook post, Lear is a registered organ donor.
Calling hours for Lear will be from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday in the Alex Kish Memorial Gymnasium. The funeral will begin at 11 a.m. Monday. The school will be otherwise closed that day.
According to a post on the Facebook page Monday, Lear suffered damage to the portion of his brain that controls his heartbeat and blood pressure, leading to a decision to move him into hospice care.
Benefit for Noah Lear set for April 2
“This is an incredibly challenging time for our students and staff,” Bucyrus Secondary School Principal Mark Burke said in a news release. “The Bucyrus City School District is a family, and we will do whatever is necessary to help each student and staff member deal with losing a classmate, student and friend. Noah and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.”
The release said the district informed students of Noah’s passing prior to classes Wednesday . The Crawford County Trauma Team has provided grief counseling to students and staff since Monday.
“The loss of life is never easy, and it’s even more difficult when it’s a child,” Superintendent Kevin Kimmel said. “As the father of three children, my heart goes out to Noah’s family.”
Lear was a member of the Bucyrus Redmen basketball team for the 2015-16 season. Head coach Tony Rose released a statement via email saying:
"Very sad day as you can expect in the halls of the Redmen house. Death is never easy, but Noah has brought this community very close and this school seems a bit closer as well. I did meet with most of the players this morning and we plan to attend the funeral together …
"I am sure we will have many things in the coming weeks and months related to the memory of Noah, for now they are just ideas being thrown out as a group as we will continue to remember him and keep him in a special place with the Redmen basketball program now and forever."
A benefit is planned for the family at 4 p.m. April 2 at Bucyrus High School. A GoFundMe page has been set up for Lear’s family to help with the unexpected medical costs. The page can be found by searching, “Battle of the Lear Fundraiser” at gofundme.com.
Pickup hoops game turns tragic
According to the Facebook post, the Battle of the Lear page, “has gotten over 4,000 likes and been seen by over 130,000 people. Twitter has put his story out there to over 300,000 and counting.”
In a final statement, the page said, “He is reaching the world. You all are his miracle. He has made a difference and through all of you it can continue. Thank you all for the prayers, support, and love you have shown. You truly have no idea how much it has meant to his whole family. You are all truly amazing.”
The Buycrus community reached out to Lear and his family via Twitter.
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Twitter: @JakeFurr11