A 12-year-old schoolboy in the USA has died from a cardiac arrest after collapsing outdoors during gym class at his school due to extremely hot temperatures.

Yahshua Robinson, nicknamed YaYa, died after he passed out in a field during his physical education class at Canyon Lake Middle School, in the city of Lake Elsinore, California State, USA.

The incident reportedly happened after a teacher at the school reportedly ignored the boy’s pleas for help and forced him to run during sweltering temperatures on Tuesday, 29th August.

The boy’s aunt Amarna Plummer said: “Despite the response and care of medical professionals, Yahshua tragically succumbed to cardiac arrest at the hospital.”

Plummer said her nephew was told to run for not having dressed appropriately for the class, after which he started feeling ill.

She added: “He was reaching out to the teacher, saying he needed some water. He said he couldn’t breathe. He was telling the kids this.

“Why would you have a child in his clothes – he didn’t dress out – running a field?”

Riverside County Sheriff’s spokesperson Sergeant Deirdre Vickers said emergency crews rushed to the school after they received a call at around 11am.

But the boy could only be pronounced dead at a nearby hospital later that day.

Lake Elsinore Unified School District, confirmed the Yahshua’s death through a statement in which they also expressed their condolences and said their admins would provide counselling to students and staff.

District Spokesperson Melissa Valdes said in the statement: “In this difficult moment, we are deeply saddened to confirm the passing of one of our students due to a medical emergency on one of our LEUSD campuses.

“Our hearts are with the family, friends and our school community.”

Meanwhile the boy’s family launched a GoFundMe campaign to help them cover the funeral costs.

The family said in the fundraiser: “The void Yahshua leaves behind is profound. Janae and Eric Robinson and their three other children are trying to come to terms with this devastating reality.

“The agony of losing a child is indescribable, and as we wait with heavy hearts for the autopsy results, we are reminded of the unpredictability of life.

“It is during times like these that we as a community can come together to support one another. We humbly ask for your assistance to help alleviate the financial strain this sudden tragedy has placed upon Yahshua’s family.”

They added: “We know that Yahshua was loved by many, and we appreciate everyone helping us to grieve his loss.

“We are still in shock and disbelief over Yahshua’s death. He was a bright, talented, and loving child with a bright future ahead of him. We are struggling to understand why this happened.”

The department said an investigation into the incident has been launched but would not disclose further details.