Washington teen fatally impaled in gym class freak accident

A Washington state high school student has died after he was fatally impaled through his eye last week in gym class, authorities said.

Brayden Bahme, 16, died at the hospital on April 27 after he fell onto a goalpost while running during his fourth-period physical education class, news station KREM reported.

Bahme – affectionately known as “Fish Pockets” in honor of his favorite pastime – was a sophomore at Cheney High School, the outlet said.

“What I can tell you is that the injury was not sustainable with life,” Cheney Fire Chief Tom Jenkins told PEOPLE of the teen’s catastrophic accident.

“Our hearts go out to the Cheney High School community and Brayden’s family.” 

The Cheney community honored Bahme at a candlelight vigil on the high school’s field on Monday evening.

“Honestly, [Brayden] was one of the most nicest and most respectful students I’ve ever met in my life,” one soccer teammate said, according to an official Facebook post from the school.

Many attendees donated fishing gears in honor of the avid angler.

Bahme’s loved ones also started a GoFundMe for funeral expenses, which has already raised over double its original $10,000 goal. Remaining funds will be used to start a youth fishing program in Bahme’s name.