The San Jose Earthquakes have confirmed that nineteen-year-old defender Matheus Silva is responsive and able to speak after nearly drowning in Lake Tahoe on Tuesday morning.
“Matheus Silva and his Reno 1868 FC teammates woke up early Tuesday morning to drive to Lake Tahoe for the Fourth of July in an effort to reserve a spot on the crowded beach,” an Earthquakes statement read. “Upon arrival at approximately 6 a.m., Matheus jumped into the cold water and swam out to the buoys offshore.
“Matheus began struggling to stay afloat as he returned to shore and called out for help. His teammates rushed into the lake and nearby paddle boarders also came to his aid, pulling the 20-year-old out of the water and bringing him to shore. He did not have a pulse at this time.”
According to the San Jose Mercury News, it is thought that he suffered from cold water shock syndrome.
The statement continued: “A bystander on the beach began performing CPR, eventually reviving Matheus and restoring his breathing and heartbeat while first responders were alerted. He was immediately taken to Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe before being airlifted to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, where he was unresponsive.
“Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli and Matheus’ family in Brazil flew to Reno to support him. He remained in a coma until Thursday late morning, when he woke up and was extubated. He is responsive and able to speak. He is expected to undergo a series of outpatient cognitive and physical tests before being released from the Intensive Care Unit. He is scheduled to begin physical therapy on Friday.”
Said Fioranelli: “We are incredibly excited and relieved to announce that Matheus Silva has awoken from his coma and is fully responsive. The entire Earthquakes organization is grateful for the invaluable effort by the doctors, players and staff at Reno 1868 FC and bystanders on the beach that contributed to Matheus being alive and well today.”
Other Quakes players have apparently also been in touch with Silva.
Just talked to my boy silva, he’s doing well, god is great @Reno1868FC @SJEarthquakes 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— lindo mfeka (@biglin020) July 6, 2017
Silva has made multiple appearances for the Quakes since joining the club in 2015 and has spent the first half of the 2017 season on loan for USL affiliate Reno 1868.
PHOTO: ISI
