Estudiantes de la Plata’s Javier Altamirano collapsed on the field in the middle of an Argentinian league game against Boca Jrs on Sunday, March 17. The 24-year-old Chilean player had to be taken off the field via ambulance.
As has already become almost too common of a sight, teammates jumped to his side as soon as Altamirano collapsed and started experiencing convulsions, with players from both teams urging medical services onto the field while shielding him. Coach Eduardo Domínguez also ran onto the field to offer help.
Later, both team captains agreed to suspend the game.
Players were very affected by what transpired with Altamirano.
And the entire stadium let out a sigh of relief as it was announced that Altamirano was stable.
Estudiantes de La Plata coach Domínguez also spoke after the game was suspended, stressing that “life comes before any sport,” and agreeing that it was very hard to continue the game, particularly because at first they had no idea of what was going on. He also referenced Altamirano’s pregnant wife and how the rest of the players were looking to find her and make sure she was with her husband as he was being treated. “The Estudiantes family moved fast.”
On Monday (March 18), Estudiantes de la Plata, Altamirano’s team, confirmed that he “suffered a convulsive episode.” The team added that he is “in the hospital under observation and to complete studies. A CT scan was performed, which showed no obvious pathological images,” and is currently stable at the Instituto Médico Platense in La Plata, Argentina. He will remain in intensive care until doctors are comfortable he is doing better.
The team also said that the match “stopped 27 minutes into the first half, was suspended by the referee.” The game will have to be resumed at a later date.