During a family trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando on September 21, a five-year-old boy suffered a cardiac arrest while on one of the park's roller coasters. Christine and Ernesto Tagle, the boy's parents, were strapped in, and about 20 seconds into the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride, they witnessed their son, Ernesto III, pass out before going into seizure.
The family had to sit through the remainder of the ride in fear, as per local reports. According to Fox 35 Orlando, Christine was seated behind him when she noticed him go limp. She claims she couldn't find a pulse. In a Facebook post, she revealed that "through the whole ride," she "couldn't wake him up." According to the outlet, she said,
"I was screaming, hitting him, and saying something’s wrong."
Ernesto III is back to normal and "asking to ride his motorcycle" - his father revealed after terrifying ordeal at Disney World
When the 60-mph roller coaster reached its end, Christine began performing CPR on her son. A couple passing by began helping them, and soon, a nurse, and EMT, and a Disney employee all got together to revive the boy. The Disney employee also brought out an automated external defibrillator. The boy was subsequently airlifted to the hospital.
His father took to Instagram to reveal that her son had undergone “test after test," when it was revealed that he had CPVT, a rare heart condition. This means that his heart is prone to going into arrhythmia when he gets extremely excited or during heightened activity. The statement also implies that the family only learned of his condition after the trip to Disney World.
In the pictures on Instagram, the boy looked to be in bad shape, with wires and tubes sticking out of his body. However, his father revealed that he is in good spirits now, and is even playing around. In the statement, Ernesto thanked the passerby couple for their help, and revealed the details leading up to the incident at Disney World:
"This past week has been a rollercoaster for our family. Rollercoaster being the key word. Saturday while at Disney our son passed out during a ride. Come to find out he wasn’t breathing and started going into seizures. Christine Tagle started CPR along with chest compressions. We were able to find another couple to help us get our son breathing again. Thank you Melissa Lynn Peters and Terry. We are forever grateful. Ernesto was shocked with an AED and transported to the ER where the medical staff was able to stabilize him."
He continued, reflecting on the time they spent in the hospital.
"After what seemed like hours, he was transferred to AdventHealth in Orlando via helicopter. Test after test was performed to find out the cause and future prevention. We were not sure if he would be ok when he woke. Brain damage? Heart damage? The unknown was the worst part. Finally they determined it was CPVT and he would need surgery and an EV-ICD placed. Ernesto was then transferred again via helicopter to St Joseph’s in Tampa where they conducted surgery yesterday afternoon."
He then revealed that his son is "doing well after surgery with no signs of brain or heart damage. Even better, this warrior is already home and already asking to ride his motorcycle." He concluded the post by thanking all those who helped in their son's recovery.
"We love you so much Ernesto, brother, ET3. You are our miracle child. So many more details but I’m getting teary eyed just writing this post. Not all heroes wear capes is so true in this story. Thank you for the prayers, positive vibes, thoughts, and encouraging words. Thank you to Jen Richert and Jack Richert for taking care of our Savannah girl. Thank you to Melissa, Terry and also all the Disney staff (Crista Funk) involved but most of all to my wife without hesitation to keep our son alive."
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His father ended the post with a call for everyone to learn CPR or to get a refresher course, stating, "You never know when you’ll need it."
His mother also took to Facebook after the incident to express her joy, and similarly called on everyone to learn the art of CPR.
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