“Miracle” survival after Tala Teofilo, 10, suffers cardiac arrest during Yass touch footy game
Tala Teofilo had just scored a length-of-the-field try and was receiving high-fives from his teammates when the 10-year-old collapsed on a bush footy field and went into cardiac arrest. What happened next saved his life.
Tala Teofilo had just scored a length-of-the-field try and was receiving high-fives from his teammates when he collapsed on a bush footy field.
And the 10-year-old’s stepmother says that, if not for the fast actions of witnesses, “we would be in a completely different situation” than having young Tala in hospital awaiting open-heart surgery for a pre-existing condition no one knew he was suffering.
Tala was playing touch footy with his mates at Yass last week when he went into cardiac arrest moments after scooting the entire field for a try.
Parents and spectators rushed in until paramedics arrived as off-duty medical professionals watching the match used a defibrillator.
His aunt and other bystanders reached him within seconds and performed lifesaving CPR.
“She knew something more serious was happening,” his stepmother Kass said.
“She’s his guardian angel, she saved him,” she said.
During the incident, Tala’s heart stopped on and off for five minutes.
He was flown to Westmead, where he is now awake, talking and surrounded by family.
Doctors later confirmed he had an underlying heart condition that had never shown symptoms before.
The boy was diagnosed with an anomalous coronary artery — where an artery is developed in an incorrect location.
It is often not diagnosed until later in life.
“He has been active his whole life,” Kass said.
“No one had any idea something like this could happen.”
The Yass community response has been overwhelming.
A GoFundMe set up to help with travel, accommodation and time off work had already raised more than $15,000 by Tuesday.
“We have been completely floored by the support. People have been so generous and so kind,” Kass said.
The 10-year-old boy will have open heart surgery this coming Wednesday to improve his condition.
Despite everything, Tala has kept in high spirits, sending flowers from his hospital bed on his aunt’s birthday this week.
“That is who he is, he is a beautiful boy,” Kass said.
“He’s the kind of kid who makes you smile.”
The family is preparing for ongoing treatment and monitoring as Tala continues his recovery.
From his event, his parents have urged families to consider CPR training.
“It saved his life. You never know when you might need it.”
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Originally published as “Miracle” survival after Tala Teofilo, 10, suffers cardiac arrest during Yass touch footy game
