Western Pa. high school principal dies at school

CHARLEROI, Pa. (AP) — The students and staff are mourning at a western Pennsylvania high school where the principal died after collapsing of apparent cardiac arrest or a heart attack in his office.

Charleroi Area School District Superintendent Brad Ferko says 43-year-old Vince Vitori was meeting with a student about 8 a.m. Thursday when he was stricken. The student went for help and two employees tried to revive Vitori using an automated external defibrillator. He was pronounced dead a short time later at Mon Valley Hospital.

Vitori had been principal of Charleroi Area High School, about 20 miles south of Pittsburgh, for 10 years.

Students and staff expressed shock because Vitori was a former wrestler who was known to run and exercise.

Vitori will be honored at the school’s June 8 commencement and students will be given Monday off to attend his funeral.