Clues scarce in death of player at camp

“I really wish this was one of those cases where a kid’s life was saved,’’ Padiscio said. “But they did everything they possibly could, and this still happened.’’

Autopsy results were expected yesterday, but had not been released as of last night.

The Zalgiris Soccer Camp, a district program run by three varsity soccer coaches, is across the street from the Holden Fire and Police departments. All three coaches have up-to-date American Red Cross CPR certification, Padiscio said. EMTs, who were in the fire station driveway when they received the 911 call, arrived within 90 seconds.

Thibodeau’s older brother was also at the soccer camp and saw his brother collapse. He called their parents, Deb and Ralph Thibodeau, who rode in the ambulance with Joshua.

“Josh’s family would like to thank the Holden Police Department, Fire Department, and ER team at UMass for trying so hard to save our precious son’s life,’’ his family said in a statement.

Although the camp does not carry the district’s name, it uses the district’s liability insurance and athletic facilities, Padiscio said.

The camp is run by Markens Benoit, the varsity boys’ soccer coach at Oakmont Regional High School in Ashburnham; Jason Gaumond, the varsity boys’ soccer coach at Wachusett Regional High School; and David Gentleman, the Wachusett assistant coach. Gaumond is a member of the Worcester Police Department.

The coaches could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Benoit and Gaumond split proceeds from the camp’s registration fees with the school district in exchange for using the district’s athletic and school facilities, Padiscio said. The camp is in its fourth year and began as part of the district’s entrepreneurial initiative, which encourages employees to pitch ideas and budgets for extracurricular programs.

“The camp follows the same procedures as the high school programs,’’ Padiscio said, including the requirement that participants in sports programs show that they have received a physical within the past year.

Padiscio said he saw Thibodeau’s medical record yesterday but could not comment due to privacy laws.