A referee died during a wrestling tournament at Arvada West High School around noon on Jan. 7, following unsuccessful attempts by first responders to save the man’s life.
The referee was not publicly identified by the Jefferson County Coroner’s Officer, but was described as a “widely known, well loved” member of the wrestling community, according to Arvada Police Department Public Information Officer Chase Amos. The referee experienced a medical emergency during the tournament, at which point fire and police officers responded.
Attempts to resuscitate the man failed, according to police Public Information Officer Dave Snelling. The man was brought to an ambulance, but passed away and was declared dead at the scene. So, paramedics did not transport the man to a hospital.
Snelling summed up events.
“One of the referees at the wrestling tournament fell ill,” Snelling said. “Arvada fire and Arvada police responded, and he was medically treated. Despite all resuscitation attempts, he passed away.”
The wrestling tournament was canceled after the referee’s death.
The coroner said that the man’s identity will likely be released on Jan. 8 after next-of-kin have been notified. This story will be updated as more details become available.