The Melbourne community is reeling from the tragic loss of Ed Millear, a 17-year-old student at Melbourne Grammar School, who passed away on February 19, 2025, after collapsing during a rowing training session the previous day.
Ed collapsed at the school’s boat shed on the Yarra River around 4:40 pm on February 18, shortly after completing a workout on a rowing machine. Despite immediate first aid efforts by staff and paramedics, Ed was rushed to The Alfred Hospital in critical condition. Sadly, he died at 3 am on February 19, surrounded by his family.
In a statement to the Herald Sun, Ed’s family said, “Ed was a loving boy, loved by his family and friends, adored school and loved rowing”. They also expressed gratitude to the emergency responders who provided CPR at the scene.
Melbourne Grammar’s headmaster, Philip Grutzner, informed the school community of the tragedy in an email, stating, “At rowing training yesterday a year 12 student unexpectedly collapsed at our boat house on the Yarra River. He was treated immediately with first aid on-site with paramedics administering CPR soon after”, per Herald Sun.
Grutzner further described Ed as “a cheerful, friendly and easy-going person who demonstrated great care and empathy for his fellow students and for others through enthusiastic participation in service activities”, per 9 News.
He added that Ed was “hardworking and diligent” and “aspired to a career in the commerce sector in the future”.
Ed was a valued member of the school’s Second XIII rowing crew and had recently competed in a regatta in Nagambie. He was preparing for this weekend’s Australian Henley Regatta at the time of his passing.
The Millear family has a long-standing connection to Melbourne Grammar School. Ed’s great-great-great-grandfather graduated from the school in 1884, and subsequent generations have continued this legacy. The school reportedly has a house named after Ed’s grandfather.
Rowing School Victoria founder Sue Chapman-Popa told the Herald Sun how concerned she is for the kids and coaches who witnessed the incident.
“It’s going to affect them for a long time, it’s going to affect the whole community for a long time,” Chapman-Popa said.
“It’s just devastating … it’s not normal that these things happen.”
As the community mourns this unexpected loss, Melbourne Grammar School is providing support to Ed’s family and the rest of the school community. The school flew its flags at half-mast, held an assembly, and cancelled sports activities in the wake of the tragedy, as reported by The Age.
Ed leaves behind his mother Dimity, father Spencer, and siblings Simon and Eleanor. The exact cause of his collapse is not yet known, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Lead image: API News
The post 17 Y.O. Melbourne Student Ed Millear Dies After Collapsing At Rowing Training: ‘Loving Boy’ appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
