Dalhart, Texas high school student Yahir Cancino suffered a critical head injury in a football game last week. Cancino was injured in the fourth quarter, and trainers and first responders were unable to revive him. Cancino was airlifted to the Pediatric ICU at University Medical Center Children’s Hospital in Lubbock. Cancino never regained consciousness and died two days later. His mother Araceli Hernandez announced his death on Facebook.
“Thank you to the community of Dalhart and the Texas panhandle for all the prayers, the calls, text and messages but unfortunately Yahir passed from his injuries,” Hernandez said in a Facebook post. “We ask for prayers for peace and healing not only for us but for all the people Yahir touched in his life. We have chosen to donate his organs because Yahir was always about helping people and we want to honor his memory.
“I know one thing for sure, that Yahir is with our Heavenly Father this kid loves Him so much and was never afraid to share the gospel. I know he is up there pulling pranks and being the little rascal that he is.
“We love you so so much Yahir watch over sister, brother and Mom and Dad❤️”
It’s such a tragedy when young people die, and in instances where they are doing something they love like playing sports.
Of course, incidents like this call into question the safety of high school football. Over the years there have been improvements to the helmets and legislating violent head hits out of the game. But football is a collision sport and there is only so much you can do to make collisions safe.
Students and staff in the Dalhart community are being given access to counselors and support staff as they grieve the loss of one of their community members.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Yahir’s family. The Dalhart Community will continue to surround and support them,” said Jeff Byrd, Superintendent of Schools Dalhart ISD. “We would also like to thank the Region 16 Service Center and every Superintendent and School District in Region 16 for the love and support they have provided for our Dalhart ISD Family.”
The Dalhart high school student council hosted a Candlelight Vigil on Sunday at Memorial Stadium to honor the life of their classmate Yahir Cancino. A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family. As of Tuesday, more than $43,000 in donations have been made.
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