Massachusetts

Whitman High School Football Players and Off-Duty Paramedic Save Ref Who Collapsed

When a referee collapsed during a high school football game in Whitman, Massachusetts, two players and a parent sprung into action.

The game official suddenly collapsed Friday night during a football game at Whitman-Hanson High School.

"Our first instincts were that this was probably going to be a tragedy because he was not moving at all," said Bob Rodgers, the school's athletic director.

According to Rodgers, the official collapsed early in the fourth quarter in a game against Silver Lake.

"Really scary moment, the entire stadium went dead silent," Rodgers said.

Video from community access channel WHCA-TV shows the official collapse, falling to the ground. Players rush to his side, as coaches and an off-duty paramedic rush to help.

"Everyone was kind of panicking, but I knew the AED was in the shed," senior captain Ethan Phelps said. "It is a scary thing to go through."

Phelps and his teammate, Jack Sweeney, both rushed to get AEDs.

Sweeney's dad, an off-duty paramedic who was at the game to watch his son, also rushed to help.

Rodgers say Sweeney's dad gave the official a sternum rub, and the official regained consciousness.

"I know my dad can do incredible things. I know my dad is a great person, I know he would do it if he had to do it again," Sweeney said.

According to Rodgers, the official was taken to a hospital, where he is being treated. He is expected to be OK.

"It was just one of those things that we were very thankful that it happened in this environment with so many people to help," Rodgers said.

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