Girl Dies In Cheerleading Accident

WOBURN, MASS. (CN) - A 14-year-old cheerleader died in an accident at East Elite Cheer Gym in Tewksbury, her mother says in Middlesex County Court. The mom says her daughter, Ashley Burns, bled to death after trying a double twist move, though her coach told her she had only had "the wind knocked out of her," and told her "to raise her hands above her head" and "go to the bathroom alone to put water on her face."

Ruth Burns demands punitive damages from these defendants: East Elite Cheer Gym, Stephen Belanger, Casey Ballou, Linda Bernis, Cheryl Pasinato, VBR Holding Co., American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and administrators, United States All Star Federation, and Andover Ambulance.

She is represented by Robert Bonsignore of Medford, Mass.

Ashley was a freshman at Medford High School.

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