Questions arise over emergency treatment given to Spanish soccer player in fatal collision
Talk of how quickly CPR was performed and whether medics used defibrillator
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medics → arise → defibrillator
While Spain mourns the death of a soccer player who suffered a cardiac arrest after an on-field collision, the emergency medical treatment he received is falling under scrutiny.
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he → mourn → scrutiny
Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel died Tuesday, a day after absorbing a heavy hit by the opposing team's goalkeeper during a match in Spain's second division and being rushed to hospital.
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Miguel → die → hospital
Spain's National Police opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, a standard procedure for a non-natural death.
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Police → open → death
Investigators are expected to assess whether Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono's challenge went beyond the normal course of play.
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challenge → expect → play
But the incident also raised questions about the on-field treatment the 30-year-old player received after collapsing on the pitch Monday, including how quickly CPR was performed and whether medics used a defibrillator.
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medics → raise → defibrillator
Elvira Gonzalez, president of Spain's Association of Nurses, Emergency Medics and Caregivers, told The Associated Press on Wednesday her organization was seeking more information.
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organization → tell → information
"We can't say if they acted correctly or incorrectly, but we can demand that all the emergency procedures follow international standards of correct practice," Gonzalez said.
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Gonzalez → say → practice
Team medical staff was at his side 20 seconds after De Miguel collapsed after being crunched in mid-air by Owono while disputing a high ball late in the game.
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Miguel → collapse → game
Emergency workers quickly followed, running a stretcher to the scene in less than a minute.
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workers → follow → minute
It is unclear what medical attention De Miguel received during the five minutes he was prone on the pitch before being rushed off on a stretcher and placed in an ambulance waiting just off the field.
Some Spanish media reported he received CPR in the ambulance and recovered a pulse, while others say he received CPR on the field.
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he → receive → field
It has not been established whether a defibrillator was used.
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defibrillator → establish → ?
The Tenerife soccer club did not answer repeated calls and an email request asking for more information about the emergency treatment De Miguel received.
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Miguel → answer → treatment
"There is contradictory information," Gonzalez said.
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Gonzalez → be → ?
"The first thing we need to know is where and when he supposedly recovered a pulse."
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he → need → pulse
She said CPR must be performed from "minute 1" and that using a defibrillator is crucial.
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using → say → defibrillator
You can only move a person once a pulse is restored," she said.
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she → move → person
On-field treatment proved lifesaving for other athletes who collapsed on the field of play including Danish soccer player Christian Eriksen, whose heart stopped during a European Championship game in 2021.
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heart → prove → 2021
In the NFL, Damar Hamlin of the Buffalo Bills was treated with CPR and defibrillator on the field after he suffered cardiac arrest in 2023.
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he → treat → 2023
Both survived.
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Both → survive → ?
Team owner wants answers
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owner → want → answers
Some local media say the police probe is also looking into the immediate medical treatment De Miguel received at Tenerife's stadium.
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Miguel → say → stadium
The National Police in Madrid and in Tenerife would not comment on that to AP.
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Police → comment → AP
Tenerife's largest shareholder, Rayco Garcia acknowledged there is still much to be clarified.
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shareholder → acknowledge → ?
"There are those who say that the impact caused his death, and that later they were able to stabilize him artificially even though it was very difficult to bring him back," Garcia told Spanish radio station Cadena Ser on Tuesday.
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Garcia → be → Tuesday
"I prefer to wait for the autopsy and then we can take steps and talk about what needs talking about."
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what → prefer → steps
He said the medical team followed protocol and "were fast to get on the field."
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team → say → field
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But, Garcia added, "I would like to know through the investigation if there is something we don't know so that this doesn't happen again.
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this → die → investigation
If there is something that was in our hands to do that could have prevented this tragedy.
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that → be → tragedy
When asked why the ambulance didn't enter the field to help evacuate De Miguel, Garcia said the club's medical service didn't order it to approach.
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service → ask → it
The Spanish soccer federation regulations say that the home team must have at least one doctor on site, and that the home club must have an ambulance equipped with life support, including a defibrillator, at the ready.
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club → say → ready
La Liga did not respond to a request for comment on emergency protocols.
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Liga → respond → protocols
Spanish soccer in shock
De Miguel's death stunned the soccer community in Spain and beyond.
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death → stun → Spain
Teams across Europe paid tribute to De Miguel before Champions League games on Tuesday.
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Teams → pay → Tuesday
Fans left flowers in a makeshift shrine outside Tenerife's stadium.
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Fans → leave → stadium
Owono issued a statement through his club on Wednesday, offering his condolences to De Miguel's family.
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Owono → issue → family
"These are the most difficult days of my life," the goalkeeper said.
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goalkeeper → say → life
"I feel an immense pain over the loss of Jesus.
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I → feel → Jesus
I think of him, his family, and everyone who loved him.
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who → think → him
I know there will be many matters to address, and I will face whatever comes with the utmost respect."
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whatever → know → respect
…and 3 more, not listed.
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