High school basketball player takes immediate action to save opponent’s life after collapse on court
A pivotal moment prompted an Oklahoma high school basketball player to give up the game. When 16-year-old Randy Vitales suffered cardiac arrest in the opening minutes of a basketball game on Jan. 9, Magnus Miller rushed to his aid .
According to Oklahoma City news station KOCO-5, Dover High School was playing Life Christian Academy in Orlando, Oklahoma, when Vitales collapsed about three minutes into the game. According to the King Fisher Press, Dover coaches determined Vitales had no pulse.
Miller reportedly received lifeguard training and used an automated external defibrillator to help Vitales. High school students also took the lead in performing CPR.
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A sophomore at Dover High School in Dover, Oklahoma, suffered a cardiac arrest during a basketball game on January 9. (Fox News)
Once Vitales’ heartbeat returned, CPR was performed until paramedics arrived at the gym.
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The Guthrie Fire Department praised Miller’s actions, telling KOCO-5 the student-athlete “without a doubt” saved his opponent’s life.
Miller said once he became aware of the situation, he took action without hesitation.
“I didn’t have any qualms about it,” the 18-year-old told the news outlet. “I just jumped in and took control of the situation.”
Basketball Net November 14, 2017. (Lanskin/Getty Images)
Miller admits that being described as a savior is a bit disconcerting.
“It’s weird to hear someone say you saved their life,” Miller said. “But it wasn’t really me. It was just God being there for me and him. Obviously, I wasn’t there to play basketball that day.”
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Dover Public Schools previously confirmed that Vitales was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital and ultimately placed in the intensive care unit (ICU). After Vitales was admitted to the hospital, doctors said an abnormal heartbeat caused cardiac arrest.
“Randy is undergoing multiple tests and will be transferred to the intensive care unit,” the statement released on January 9 said. “The doctors did say that the quick response of our coaches and the training they received may have saved his life. . Counselors and some area pastors were at the school as our team returned to talk and pray with students.”
According to The Oklahoman, as of January 11, Vitales was still breathing without the help of a respirator.
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