Spanish medical workers are questioning pitchside emergency protocols following the fatal on-field collision involving Tenerife forward Jesús de Miguel. De Miguel collapsed after absorbing a heavy hit from opposing goalkeeper Jesús Owono during a second division match. Spain's National Police opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, assessing whether the challenge went beyond normal play.
Elvira González of Spain's Association of Nurses, Emergency Medics and Caregivers demands all emergency procedures follow international standards. She emphasizes CPR must begin immediately and defibrillator use is crucial, noting the first minutes are critical before moving a patient. While team medical staff reached De Miguel 20 seconds after collapse, and emergency workers arrived in under a minute, gaps remain in public knowledge regarding the five minutes he was prone on the pitch.
Some media reports conflict on whether he recovered a pulse on the field or in the ambulance. The Tenerife soccer club did not respond to requests for information. Rayco García, the club's largest shareholder, acknowledged much needs clarification, stating the medical team was fast but expressing a desire to learn if preventable factors existed.
The incident echoes survival stories of Christian Eriksen and Damar Hamlin, who received prompt on-field CPR and defibrillation. Calls for protocol upgrades aim to prevent future tragedies.
Source: ESPN Soccer · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing