VANCOUVER, Wash. — Staff and students at Fort Vancouver High School are mourning the loss of senior Drake Blair, who was pronounced dead on Monday afternoon at Southwest Washington Medical Center.

Blair suffered medical distress as he was leaving the school campus on a bus at the end of the day. School administrators and a school nurse attended to him until medics arrived on scene. He was then transported to the hospital.

Calls and an e-mail message went out to all high school staff members on Monday night to inform them of the situation, and on Tuesday morning Principal Jeff Snell met with staff prior to the start of school.

Moreover, just after the start of school, Snell addressed the school’s students in a televised message, saying, “It is with great sorrow that I share with you the sudden and tragic death of one of our students. Drake Blair, grade 12, passed away at Southwest Washington Medical Center yesterday afternoon. … Today we will have additional counselors available in the career center. If you need someone to talk to, or just a quiet place to go, please don’t hesitate to tell us. I wish there was something I could say or do to bring Drake back to us. I want you all to know that we care deeply for each and every one of you. If there’s anything that a staff member can do to help you, please let us know. Our thoughts and sympathy go out to Drake’s family and friends as we all mourn his loss. At this time, we will have a moment of silence to honor the passing of Drake Blair. Thank you.”

Blair had been enrolled at Fort Vancouver High School since Sept. 8. He was involved in video production and planned to go into the Army. Vancouver police are investigating the cause of Blair’s death.