Press release and staff report
news@wbcowqel.com
Sixteen-year-old Noah Lear did not lose his battle for life on Wednesday morning, it simply came to a peaceful end.
Lear, a sophomore at Bucyrus High School, died Wednesday. He was injured on Feb. 27 while playing basketball with friends when the pole supporting the basket broke and fell on his neck and head. Lear was rushed to Bucyrus Community Hospital and then flown by medical helicopter to Nationwide Children’s Hospital where surgery was performed. However, he never recovered from a medically induced coma necessary for the surgery.
“I don’t know what you can say about losing a child. It’s the worst thing that can happen to anybody,” a friend said on behalf of the family. “He’s such a good kid. Hopefully, something major comes out of this. We’re very grateful to everybody who reached out, who’s mourned with us.”
“The loss of life is never easy, and it’s even more difficult when it’s a child,” Bucyrus City School District Superintendent Kevin Kimmel said. “As the father of three children, my heart goes out to Noah’s family.”
The school district informed students at the Secondary School prior to classes beginning March 16. The Crawford County Trauma Team has been in the district since Monday, March 14, to provide grief counseling to students and staff.
“This is an incredibly challenging time for our students and staff,” Secondary School Principal Mark Burke said. “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 Bucyrus City School District will be closed for the funeral of junior Noah Lear on Monday, March 21.
Calling hours will be from 1:00-5:00 p.m. in the Alex Kish Memorial Gymnasium Sunday, March 20. The funeral will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the gymnasium on Monday, March 21. The family has asked that all multimedia cease during the calling hours and the funeral out of respect.
“We fell that that is a solemn event and should be kept as such. We truly appreciate all of you keeping Noah’s story alive, but there is a time and place for everything. These events are not the time of the place. Thank you all in advance for your cooperation in this matter,” the family wrote on the Battle of the Lear Facebook page.
Classes will resume as scheduled on Tuesday, March 22. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school building.
Lear had been playing basketball with friends at the Calvary Baptist Church in Bucyrus on Feb. 27 when he went up for a slam dunk and the backboard, rim, and post came down on his head and neck. After being transported to the hospital, Lear was life-flighted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. He suffered from a traumatic brain injury. The part of his brain that regulated his body’s heart and blood pressure had been severely damaged and he was moved to a hospice care facility. He remained in a coma for 18 days before passing away Wednesday morning.
Cards and letters can be sent to the Lear family at the following address: PO Box 1054, Bucyrus, OH 44820. A Facebook page has also been set up under Battle of the Lear.
A benefit will be held at 4 p.m. on April 2 at Bucyrus High School. Anyone wishing additional information may contact Sonya Young at 419-617-6939 or Leann Quaintance at 4719-562-5642.
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