S.C. Student Dies After Having Seizure While on School Bus

An eighth grade student from Anderson School District One in Williamston, S.C., passed away recently after suffering cardiac arrest, which led to a seizure while on her school bus.

According to a report from the Anderson County Coroner, obtained by WYFF, 13-year-old Kirsten Volzka died on Nov. 20 after suffering cardiac arrest while riding home from school on the school bus. The report stated that Volzka's grandmother, Donna Stargel, was driving the bus at the time of the incident and that Volzka had no prior history of heart problems. Stargel told WYFF that the cause of Volzka’s cardiac arrest was apparently an undetected asymptomatic defect in her heart that worsened over time.

Jane Harrison, the assistant superintendent for Anderson School District One, told the news source in another WYFF story that doctors believe Volzka’s heart issues are what led to the seizure, causing her to be without oxygen for roughly 25 minutes. Harrison added that while memorial plans are still in the works, Volzka’s name has been spelled out using plastic cups on a fence outside of Wren Middle School, where she was a student. The district has also made counselors available for students in regard to the incident, according to WYFF.

Members of the larger Anderson community are grieving the loss of Volzka by expressing their condolences and sharing memories through a public Facebook group called Prayers for Kirsten, which has acquired more than 1,600 members as of press time.