Eifel community loses respected teacher, coach Published Sept. 10, 2007 WIESBADEN, Germany -- Bitburg High School's Cross Country Coach and Math Teacher died from a suspected heart attack while practicing with his team Friday afternoon. David E. Turner was pronounced dead at the scene by German emergency response teams after attempts to revive him failed. "Mr. Turner was a well-respected Math teacher at Bitburg High School were he has worked since 2003," said David Carlisle, Principal, Bitburg High School. According to witnesses present, Mr. Turner had complained of chest pains just prior to collapsing at approximately 4 p.m. School employees were first to reach the scene. They began initial CPR. Thomas Jenkins, School Nurse, deployed the school's AED. Coaches Dan Vasquez and Mike Laue initiated attempts to revive Turner. Emergency medical responders arrived within 10 minutes. They continued their attempts to revive him until approximately 4:30 p.m. U.S. Security Forces, the Fire Department, a German ambulance and German police were present at the scene when efforts stopped. Several students witnessed Turner's collapse and failed revival efforts. Those participating in after school activities were first assembled in the gym and then taken to the cafeteria area. "By the time students were assembled in the cafeteria, we had many members of our crisis team, school nurses, counselors, parents, coaches and teachers with students," Mr. Carlisle said. "We initiated phone calls to parents, advised them of the situation and asked them to come to the school and pick up their students. "I assembled the students and then announced that rescue efforts were not successful and that rescue teams were not able to revive him. Students began the grieving process at that time," Mr. Carlisle said. "Adults stayed with students and we moved from group to group checking on children and getting their status. Parents arrived shortly after that and began the process of taking students home." Throughout the weekend and today, the school has assembled a team of psychologists, chaplains, counselors and nursing staff to assist with this casualty. The school opened at 8 a.m. Saturday morning for students and faculty to meet with support personnel on site. "Over the weekend sports teams assembled," Mr. Carlisle said. "There was an impromptu gathering of students Saturday morning at the football field and site where Mr. Turner collapsed. There has been a tremendous outpouring of community support." Turner was born Jan. 23, 1959 in Monroe, Louisiana. He is survived by his wife Hilde, who was at the scene, and his four daughters Adrienne (21), Sydney (17), Ingrid (8), and Emilia (3). Information regarding memorial services will be forthcoming.