An Indian Land Elementary physical education teacher - who colleagues say devoted his life to pushing students to excel in school and sports - died Tuesday from injuries suffered in an ATV accident over the weekend, officials said.

Mike Kersey, who also had coached wrestling at Indian Land High, was in his 17th year of teaching in Lancaster County. Co-workers remember him as tireless.

"He was always looking for a way he could help children," Indian Land Elementary Principal Beth Blum said.

"He was here from six o'clock to six o'clock," fifth-grade teacher Jason Weiss said. "If I left something at work, at five o'clock I'd come back to get it, and he would be there to let me in.

"He was one of the most well-known and revered teachers here."

Kersey was the second coach Indian Land High athletic director Mike Mayer hired 11 years ago.

"Mike Kersey is a huge part of the Indian Land family, who had a close personal relationship with his kids and wrestlers," Mayer said. "He made our wrestling program like a big family, and that's something I'll always respect and admire him for. People need to pray for his family."

Attempts to reach Lancaster County Emergency Medical Services were unsuccessful Tuesday.

Kersey suffered a severe head injury Saturday after he was thrown from an all-terrain vehicle he was riding at his home in Van Wyck, the EMS told The Lancaster News.

He was taken by helicopter to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

He died Tuesday afternoon, Lancaster County schools spokesman David Knight said.

So many former students and visitors showed up at the hospital Saturday night, Knight said, that a conference room was opened up for them to sleep in.

"Coach Kersey was one of those guys who always made you better," said Rondale Truesdale, an Indian Land High assistant football and wrestling coach who won the 1-A state wrestling championship in the 189-lb. weight class in 2005 under Kersey's tutelage.

"He used to always say that everyone wanted to be a state champion, but not everybody wanted to put in the work to do so. Coach always gave you his opinion whether you liked it or not and would always hear you out - regardless if he agreed with you.

"He didn't start the Indian Land wrestling program, but he built it, which was something he took a lot of pride in."

Kersey had recently given up coaching wrestling so his wife could pursue a master's degree, Blum said, while he cared for their three children - two daughters, ages 10 and 6, and a 3-year-old son.

Concerned about the growing numbers of obese children in America, Kersey started "Fit Kids," an after-school program designed to keep students active.

Indian Land Elementary plans to continue the program, Blum said.

Grief counselors from across the district will be at Indian Land today to talk with students.

Jason Chisari is a freelance writer.