While riding the Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind enclosed roller coaster in Disney World's Epcot, Ernesto Tagle III, a 5-year-old passed out.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Just 20 seconds into the ride, Ernesto went unresponsive. Since the rollercoaster had already started, his horrified mother was forced to finish the ride next to her son's limp body. She quickly learned as the ride stopped that his heart stopped as well. He wasn't breathing, and he started having seizures.
Christine told Fox 35 Orlando how she reacted when she noticed her son was in distress.
She said, "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. 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."
Disney staff members were able to help too by using an automated external defibrillator (AED), a machine designed to help people under cardiac arrest. "My son lived because when his (now we know) genetic heart disease presented itself we were at Disney where there is an AED everywhere," said Christine.
She continued: "My son is alive because we were at Disney with trained staff. My son is alive because of this couple."
A Cardiac Condition
The genetic heart disease mentioned by Christine was discovered by medical staff in AdventHealth Orlando. Ernesto Tagle III was transported there via helicopter. He has catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT).
This inherited cardiac condition can trigger cardiac arrest during episodes of emotional stress or while exercising, according to Boston Children's Hospital.
Ernesto Tagle III was transported to St. Joseph Hospital in Tampa to undergo surgery. According to Ernesto Tagle, Jr., the boy's father, the surgery went great, and the 5-year-old had "no signs of brain or heart damage."
"We're just so thankful everything worked out the way it did," he said to Fox 35. "We can't thank the people who helped us enough."
The father later posted on Instagram, recalling the events and thanking everyone who helped his boy. "Not all heroes wear capes is so true in this story. Thank you for the prayers, positive vibes, thoughts, and encouraging words," he said. "Get CPR certified or get a refresher course. You never know when you'll need it."
