Cast members at Walt Disney World saved a 5-year-old boy’s life after his heart stopped at the “Guardians of the Galaxy” attraction in Orlando, Florida, on Sept. 21, a local outlet reported.
Christine and Ernesto Tagle’s 5-year-old son, Ernesto, suddenly stopped breathing and began having seizures 20 seconds into the ride, prompting his parents to immediately pull him off the attraction, WESH 2 News reported. Christine began performing CPR while a nearby nurse and firefighter came to assist, however Disney cast members rushed to the scene with an automated external defibrillator (AED) that helped stabilize the child, the outlet reported. (RELATED: Disney Attempts To Evade Wrongful Death Lawsuit In The Most Shocking Way)
After three different hospital visits, Ernesto was diagnosed with catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT), a condition that causes irregular heart rhythms, WESH News 2 reported. The Tagles said he also underwent surgery and had a device implanted on his chest that would automatically administer shocks if necessary, according to the outlet. Ernesto had no previous medical issues, his parents said.
ORLANDO, FL – MAY 31: A statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse stands in a garden in front of Cinderella’s Castle at the Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World on May 31, 2024, in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
The Tagles expressed gratitude that the incident occurred at Disney, where medical assistance and equipment were readily available. The family is now advocating for increased access to AEDs in public spaces, and are encouraging other parents to learn CPR, the outlet noted.
A Disney representative told the Daily Caller that they are “incredibly proud” of the cast members who rushed to the boy’s aid.
“At Disney, the safety and well-being of our guests are our top priorities. We are incredibly proud of our dedicated Cast Members who acted swiftly and with great care to help a young guest in need. Their professionalism and quick response with the defibrillator played a vital role in ensuring the best possible outcome. Our hearts are with the family, and we are thankful for the teamwork and expertise of our staff in such a critical moment,” the representative said.
This article was originally published at dailycaller.com
