- Antonio Lo Iacono tragically passed away on the football field in April 2023
- The 20-year-old was left unconscious after suffering two head injuries during the match.
The mother of a 20-year-old soccer player, who tragically died on the field of play, has alleged in a document submitted to the Supreme Court that a defibrillator that could have saved her son’s life “was left in a locked closet inside of Gumeracha”. club lounges’.
Antonio Lo Iacono lost his life after suffering critical injuries while playing for Birdwood Football Club in South Australia’s Hills Football League on 22 April 2023.
The talented footballer’s family was left searching for answers after his sudden death, and the 20-year-old had no underlying health problems.
It is understood he had returned to the field of play too soon after suffering two head injuries during the match between Birdwood and Gumeracha and was tragically a victim of a condition known as ‘second impact syndrome’.
Lo Iacono was left unconscious after suffering the second blow to the head during the third quarter of the game. Paramedics treated the player on the field, whose heart had stopped for 30 minutes. He was later rushed by helicopter to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, but sadly died the following day.
The young footballer Antonio Lo Iacono (right) tragically lost his life at the age of 20
Her family has been searching for answers following her unexpected death and her mother’s lawyer has filed an affidavit with the Supreme Court.
According The advertiserAn affidavit filed in the Supreme Court by lawyer Greg Griffin acting for Wendy Smith, Lo Iacono’s mother, alleges that the defibrillator was locked inside a cupboard at Gumeracha Oval.
He also claims that the medical staff did not have a key to open the cabinet.
Ms Smith was present at the match on the day her son died and is taking legal action against the South Australian National Football League, Birdwood and Gumeracha football clubs and the Women’s and Children’s Hospital over the death of her son.
“The Gumeracha defibrillator could not be located by either the coaches or the medical staff as it had been left in a locked cupboard within the Gumeracha club rooms to which no member of the medical staff had a key,” Griffin writes in the sworn statement.
“The delay in bringing the defibrillator to the field to assist in Antonio’s resuscitation wasted vital minutes that contributed to Antonio’s death.”
The affidavit also alleges that the CPR administered to the player after he became unconscious “was of no practical use” as it “was incorrectly applied by those attempting to administer it.”
‘Second impact syndrome’ occurs when a person who has not fully recovered from a head injury suffers a second one, causing the brain to swell.
Lo Iacono suffered both head injuries during the same football game. He suffered his first head injury during the first quarter, after being left lying on the ground after a strong collision. The 20-year-old would return to the field and suffer the second collision in the third quarter.
Adelaide tradie Antonio Loiacono (pictured left) with his younger brother Jack Loiacono
It is understood he also suffered a concussion during a pre-season trial game, a month before his death, and suffered another concussion while playing for Waikerie in 2022.
Reports indicate that Mr Griffin has written to Birdwood and Gumeracha football clubs to check records of training that had been given to staff members on how to use a defibrillator.
Under the AFL’s injury management guidelines, it is recommended that all clubs have a defibrillator available at every game or training session. Medical officers must also have obtained a CPR qualification “that is current and up to date”.
Griffin also completed an application to the Supreme Court asking the SANFL to provide documents relating to the football league’s concussion policies.
It comes after the tribunal’s findings alleged the SANFL had replaced its concussion protocols with AFL regulations on its website following Lo Iacono’s death.
Lo Iacono died from ‘second impact syndrome’ after suffering two head injuries during the match
Antonio’s (right) brother, Jack (left), shared memories of the two together after his passing.
The league had originally required that players suspected of having suffered a concussion be evaluated within 10 minutes of the injury occurring, according to The Advertiser. If that is not met, they will not be allowed to return to the field and will require medical clearance before returning in the following weeks.
Under current AFL guidelines, the league says a player suspected of having suffered a concussion “must be medically assessed as soon as possible after the injury and should not be allowed to return to play in the same match or training session.” “.
Griffin is also seeking to obtain “certificates, reports and medical documents” from the SANFL that “confirm Antonio’s ability to participate in the Birdwood v Gumeracha match.” Ms Smith’s legal counsel also requested documents showing how the SANFL has developed its concussion protocols and correspondence with the AFL on the matter.
A SANFL spokesperson told The Advertiser: ‘The matter was left to their lawyers and they won; comment at this time.”