A mom has opened up about the nightmare moment her son suffered a cardiac arrest on a Disney rollercoaster.
Like many park guests that day, parents Christine Tagle and Ernesto Tagle Jr. – along with their son son, Ernesto III – boarded the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind ride at Disney World’s Epcot on September 21.
But just 20 seconds into the ride, the couple’s son had suddenly become lifeless, and his frantic mom was left fearing for his life.
“He wasn’t breathing and started going into seizures,” the family wrote in a social media post.
“I was screaming, hitting him, and saying something’s wrong,” the mom told Fox 35 Orlando.
In a Disney Tips and Tricks Facebook group, the mom wrote: “When the ride was over, I pulled him out screaming for help, the staff directed me to a hallway where I laid my son down and I began CPR – a few seconds later the staff shocked him with the AED.”
An AED, a medical device that can help people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest.
“My husband ran out to find help and found a couple – a nurse and an EMT – who continued CPR, kept him stable as he began to have seizures until EMT services came,” she continued.
Mom Christine also thanked the “trained staff” at the Disney park for their help.
The boy was then rushed to the ER where the medical staff was able to stabilize him. He was then transported via helicopter to AdventHealth in Orlando, Florida.
“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,” the post read. “Finally they determined it was CPVT and he would need surgery and an EV-ICD placed.”
Ernesto was transferred once again to St Joseph’s in Tampa where medics conducted surgery.
After many tests, it was discovered Ernesto suffers from a genetic heart condition known as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia – which is an “inherited cardiac condition that causes sudden rhythm disturbances, called arrhythmias, in otherwise healthy children,” per Children’s Hospital.
The condition commonly occurs during exercise or emotional stress and can cause instantaneous heartbeat (palpitations), fainting (syncope), or cardiac arrest.
Ernesto’s loved ones have shared pictures of the little boy smiling in a hospital bed after the terrible ordeal.
The parents penned in the caption: “I’m happy to say that Ernesto 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.”
They then urged others: “Get CPR certified or get a refresher course. You never know when you’ll need it.”
The mom told Fox 35 Orlando that they “feel so lucky” that the incident “didn’t rob us of his smile and energy.”
Disney has not yet issued a statement about the horrible incident, but thank goodness the other guests and trained staff were able to assist the family so quickly.