WICHITA, Kan. -- A high school pole vaulter died Monday night after falling at least 12 feet to the ground during a weekend competition. He was the second student vaulter to die this year.

Samoa Fili, a 17-year-old senior at Southeast High School, fell onto a safety mat, bounced and hit the back of his head Saturday.

A spokeswoman for Wesley Medical Center said Fili died Monday night.

"He apparently missed the little box they use to plant their vaulting pole," said Capt. Scott Hadley of Sedgwick County Emergency Services. "But he still got up in the air before his pole flipped out from under him."

When paramedics arrived Fili was conscious and responsive, Hadley said. His health deteriorated in the ambulance.

Wendy Johnson, a spokeswoman for the school district, said the district will review the accident.

"We're going to look into everything to understand what happened," Johnson said.

Penn State vaulter Kevin Dare died in February during the Big Ten indoor meet in Minneapolis. Dare fell headfirst and was killed using an unfamiliar size pole.

Dare's death prompted a bill in New York state to require helmets for high school and college pole vaulters. The measure is pending.