School mourns death of teenager

NORTH LAWRENCE — Christopher W. Rose, middle school principal at St. Lawrence Central School, Brasher Falls, says the weekend death of a student is a "very tough loss" for students and faculty members.

Kyle J. Cootware, 15, North Lawrence, was killed in a crash Sunday when he lost control of his all-terrain vehicle during a motocross race at Martins Motocross Park, County Route 17, Moira. Kyle, son of Kevin P. and Sian Cootware, lost control of his machine while attempting a tabletop jump, according to Malone-based state police.

It was the third-to-last race of the season at the park.

State police said he was taken to Alice Hyde Medical Center in Malone and later was flown to Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, Vt., where he died of his injuries.

School Superintendent Stephen M. Putman said the district will have grief counselors on hand Wednesday to help students deal with the death of their classmate. Students were off Monday for the Columbus Day holiday and will be off today while staff members take part in professional development.

Mr. Putman said the school's crisis committee will meet at 7 a.m. today to plan how it will handle Kyle's death in the school.

"I have already activated the phone tree to notify faculty, and we have contacted Hospice for their assistance. We'll have grief counseling available on Wednesday, and we'll just have to go from there," Mr. Putman said.

Kyle's love of ATV riding stemmed back many years, according to Mr. Rose.

"He was doing some racing as of late. Ever since he was little he's been on them. He was a very athletic kid who loved racing," he said.

The sophomore also was involved in other athletics and was well liked by the student body, Mr. Rose said.

"He played minor hockey here in town, and he was a lacrosse player. I would have coached him this spring in lacrosse. He would have been on the varsity hockey team," Mr. Rose said. "He was one of those kind of kids in school who didn't have a group of his own, but was well liked by everybody. He was a great kid with a great sense of humor and a great personality."

Arrangements with Hammill Funeral Home, Winthrop, are incomplete.