NEWARK, N.J. (WABC) — A family is pushing for all youth sports coaches to be trained in CPR after their 12-year-old son collapsed and died during football practice in New Jersey on Friday.
Elijah Jordan Brown Garcia was participating in a light soccer practice on the field at West Side Park when he collapsed right next to his little brother.
The head coach of the Essex County Predators youth soccer team left and another coach and parents took over.
No one seemed to know CPR, but several people called 911.
The police station is next to the park, but 911 calls to cellphones can be directed to dispatchers throughout the county.
The boy’s family say it took up to 30 minutes for EMS to arrive and it was too late to save him.
In grief over Elijah’s death, the family is urging all youth sports coaches to conduct CPR training.
The sixth-grader at Rise Academy Charter School was an athletic kid who meant a lot to his family.
Football tragedies in the sport were highlighted by an incident involving player Damar Hamlin’s scores.
Fortunately, he had a medical team ready to help, but last fall, Linden High School player Xavier McClain collapsed during a game and died.
A Go Fund Me page has been set up to help Elijah’s family pay for the funeral.
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