ELWOOD, N.Y. (AP) — A high school football player has died after he collided with an opponent and collapsed during a game on Long Island.

Authorities say Tom Cutinella, a player for Shoreham-Wading River High School, died at a hospital Wednesday night after suffering a head injury during a game with John Glenn High School in Elwood.

A spokeswoman for the school districts tells Newsday (http://nwsdy.li/1rKBqSH ) that Cutinella had been in the intensive-care unit after undergoing surgery.

Suffolk County police say the collision happened about 6 p.m. Cutinella, a guard/linebacker, was injured during the third quarter of the varsity game.

Dozens of teammates, relatives and friends waited at the hospital for an update on his condition. As news of his death spread, two people fell to the floor weeping.

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Update:

WADING RIVER, N.Y. (AP) — The superintendent of a New York high school district has called the death of a 16-year-old football player following an on-field collision a “freak accident.”

Steven Cohen says the death of Shoreham-Wading River High School junior Tom Cutinella is still under investigation, but it appears he died after a “freak football play.”

Cohen says Cutinella suffered a head injury after being hit Wednesday during the third quarter of the varsity game. He says Cutinella stood up but then collapsed. He was rushed to a hospital but died in the intensive-care unit after surgery.

The medical examiner, police and school officials are investigating.

Principal Dan Holtzman says counselors have been made available to students.