Jacksonville elementary school teacher dies after collapsing in classroom

Grief counselors are at a Jacksonville elementary school after a teacher collapsed in the classroom and died on the second day of the new school year.

Duval County Public Schools said the Biltmore Elementary School and DCPS communities are deeply saddened by Mildretta Chapple's death.

The 43-year-old taught fifth grade, according to the school's website.

Her colleague Larry Harrison told officers that he was teaching his fifth grade class when a group of students started banging on his door.

They told Harrison Chapple had collapsed.

Harrison found her lying on the ground and tried to perform CPR.

Fire rescue took Chapple to St. Vincent's Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The county released the following statement:

The entire community of Biltmore Elementary School and Duval County Public Schools is deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of one of its staff members. To support the well-being of students and faculty, specially-trained school psychologists and social workers will be onsite today at Biltmore Elementary School, and will provide continued support as needed.

Trending on ActionNewsJax.com:

• Yulee baseball coach killed in tree-trimming accident leaves behind 2 sons, pregnant wife
• Three couples die in plane crash, leave behind 11 children
• What is flakka and what does it do to you?
• Father took family to amusement park before killing them
• Florida man fatally struck by garbage truck in reverse

Cox Media Group