A Missouri family is mourning the loss of their 18-year-old son, who tragically passed away on Wednesday in an elevaqtor accident.

JauMarcus McFarland was attending Champion Prep Academy in Atlanta, Georgia and his teammates were staying at 444 Suites Student Housing in Northeast Atlanta and had gotten into the building’s elevator en route to practice when it suddenly collapsed. It took McFarland down with it and pinned him between the second and third floors.

He remained trapped there for nearly an hour, as his teammates tried to help him free. Atlanta Fire Rescue Department were eventually able to free him and transport him to Atlanta Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.

“We all are experiencing the loss of JauMarcus at this present time,” Michael Carson, president and founder of Georgia Prep Sports Academy, tells PEOPLE. “It’s definitely a tragedy to our program, and his family in Missouri is utterly devastated.”

McFarland was one of the program’s brightest stars, Carson says,

“We get kids from all across the country to come into our program. JauMarcus was just an outstanding kid and a super athlete. He had so much potential. He was 6’6″, 300 lbs.; a left tackle with great footwork. He was one of the leaders on his team. Very respectful, very humble, and very focused. Guys really respected him and his work ethic. We’re all just in shock.”