- Antonio Lo Iacono tragically passed away on the football pitch in April 2023
- The 20-year-old fell unconscious after sustaining two head injuries in the game
The mother of a 20-year-old footballer, who tragically passed away on the playing field, has alleged in a document filed to the Supreme Court that a defibrillator which could have saved her son’s life was ‘left in a locked cupboard inside the Gumeracha clubrooms’.
Antonio Lo Iacono lost his life after sustaining critical injuries while playing for the Birdwood Football Club in South Australia’s Hills Football League on April 22, 2023.
The talented footballer’s family had been left searching for answers following his sudden passing, with the 20-year-old having no underlying health issues.
It is understood that he had returned to the playing field too early after sustaining two head injuries during the match between Birdwood and Gumeracha and was tragically the victim of a condition known as ‘second impact syndrome’.
Lo Iacono was left unconscious after sustaining the second head injury during the third quarter of the match. Paramedics attended the player at the ground, with his heart having stopped for 30 minutes. He was subsequently rushed via helicopter to the Royal Adelaide Hospital but sadly passed away the following day.
Young footy player Antonio Lo Iacono (right) tragically lost his life at the age of 20
His family have been searching for answers following his unexpected death with an affidavit now being filed to the Supreme Court by his mother’s legal counsel
According to The Advertiser, an affidavit filed to the Supreme Court by lawyer Greg Griffin acting on behalf of Wendy Smith, Lo Iacono’s mother, alleges the defibrillator was locked inside a cupboard at the Gumeracha Oval.
It also claims that medical staff did not have a key to open the cabinet.
Ms Smith was present at the match on the day her son had passed away and is taking legal action against the South Australian National Football League, the 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 trainers or medical staff [with] it having been left in a locked cupboard within the Gumeracha clubrooms to which none of the medical staff had a key,’ Mr Griffin writes in the Affidavit.
‘The delay in bringing the defibrillator onto the field of play to assist in the resuscitation of Antonio wasted vital minutes that contributed to Antonio’s death.’
The affidavit has also alleged that CPR given to the player after he fell unconscious was ‘of no practical use’ as it was ‘being wrongly applied by those attempting its application.’
‘Second impact syndrome’ occurs when a person who has not completely recovered from a head injury suffers a second one, causing the brain to swell.
Lo Iacono suffered both head injuries during the same game of football. He sustained the first head injury during the first quarter, after being left on the ground following a heavy collision. The 20-year-old would return to the playing 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 that he had also sustained a concussion during a pre-season trial game, a month before his passing and had a further concussion injury while playing for Waikerie in 2022.
Reports state that Mr Griffin has written to both the Birdwood and Gumeracha Football Clubs to ascertain records of what training had been provided to staff members on how to use a defibrillator.
Under the AFL’s injury management guidelines, all clubs are advised to have a defibrillator available at each game or training session. Medical officers are also required to have obtained a CPR qualification ‘which is current and up-to-date’.
Mr Griffin has also completed an application to the Supreme Court requesting the SANFL provide documents relating to the football league’s concussion policies.
It comes after the court findings alleged that the SANFL had replaced its concussion protocols with the AFL regulations on its website following Lo Iacono’s death.
Lo Iacono was killed by ‘second impact syndrome’ after suffering two head injuries during the match
Antonio’s (right) brother Jack (left) shared memories of the two together following his passing
The league had originally required players who are suspected of having sustained a concussion to be assessed within 10 minutes of the injury occurring, according to The Advertiser. Should that not be satisfied they are not permitted to return to the field and will require medical clearance before returning in the weeks following.
Under AFL’s current guidelines, the league says that a player suspected of having sustained a concussion ‘must be medically assessed as soon as possible after the injury and must not be allowed to return to play in the same match or training session.’
Mr Griffin is also looking to obtain ‘medical certificates reports and documents’ from the SANFL that ‘confirm Antonio’s capacity to participate in the Birdwood v Gumeracha’ match. Ms Smith’s legal counsel has also requested documents showing how the SANFL have developed their protocols on concussion and correspondence with the AFL over the matter.
A spokesperson from the SANFL told The Advertiser: ‘The matter was with their lawyers and won; comment at this time.’
