A 14-year-old boy died after being struck in the chest by a football during a match.
Benjamín Valentín Donofrio was taking part in a recreational game on Tuesday (16 Jun) afternoon when he received a powerful shot to the chest and abdomen.
According to witnesses, Valentín, a youth player with Club Atlético Sarmiento de La Banda, fell to the ground in severe pain.
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He managed to get back to his feet a few seconds later, but after taking a few steps he collapsed again in front of his friends.
Moments later, he began convulsing, prompting an urgent call for emergency medical assistance at the pitch in La Banda, Argentina.
Paramedics arrived and Valentín was rushed by ambulance to the nearest health centre.
However, he suffered a cardiorespiratory arrest during the journey, as reported by Need To Know.
Upon arrival at hospital, medical staff performed CPR, but were unable to revive the teenager.
Blows to the chest can, in rare cases, trigger severe disturbances in the heart’s rhythm if they occur at a very specific moment in the heart’s electrical cycle.
This phenomenon, known as commotio cordis, has been documented across a range of sports and can follow seemingly harmless impacts from balls, pucks, or other sporting projectiles.
The Banda and Robles Prosecutor’s Unit has ordered a post-mortem examination to determine whether the death was directly linked to the impact or whether other contributing factors were involved.
Valentín’s club wrote online: “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his loved ones during this painful time.
“He will always be remembered for his time with us.”
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