College freshman dies after backflip gone wrong

An 18-year-old Baylor University freshman died Sunday after a bizarre accident while doing a backflip, the school said in a statement.

Kevin Signo, a pre-biology student from Frisco, Texas, was rehearsing traditional dances with the Filipino Students Association when he practiced a backflip and landed on his head, according to NBC station KCEN-TV in Waco.

The Waco Tribune-Herald quoted a justice of the peace as saying Signo hit his forehead and suffered a fatal spinal injury.

His parents, Henry and Jackie Signo, said their son was an introvert in high school but thrived at Baylor.

"Kevin was a very bright, well-liked and involved student on our campus," Baylor spokeswoman Lori Fogleman told Tribune-Herald. "He had so many friends here who will miss him terribly."

Signo's parents said their son wanted to be a doctor. He was an organ donor who had a legal document drawn up, donating his eyes, skin, bones and organs.

"He knew exactly what could be used for and what was important," Jackie Signo said.

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Henry Signo said he thinks his son "knew that he would be helping others if something tragic had happened."

"We're very happy to have had him for a short time," he said.

Funeral services will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Turrentine, Jackson & Morrow Funeral Home in Allen. Visitation will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, the university said in a news release.

At least two busloads of students from Baylor are expected to make the trip to Allen for the services.

Kevin Signo attended Frisco High School and was originally from Carol Stream, Ill., according to his Facebook page.

His parents said they plan to endow a scholarship in his name at Baylor.

NBC 5's Randy McIlwain contributed to this report.