In a heartbreaking incident, a 16-year-old female student tragically passed away after experiencing an unexpected medical crisis during her competitive flag football match in Las Vegas.
On Thursday evening, during a home game between Desert Oasis High School and Valley High School, 16-year-old Ashari Hughes – who was playing for Desert Oasis – tragically collapsed. She was rushed to the hospital but unfortunately passed away later that night according to Las Vegas Review-Journal. This untimely death has brought great sadness to all those connected with her and the school community at large.
Just three days after the nation bore witness to Buffalo Bills safety, Damar Hamlin’s collapse due to cardiac arrest during a Monday Night Football game against Cincinnati Bengals, officials reported that he is now awake and making remarkable progress.
Despite valiant attempts, it was not possible to save the 16-year-old Nevada student.
On Thursday evening, Aphelia Phifer-Hill, a registered nurse and mother of one of the girl’s team members, jumped on the field to provide CPR for her daughter’s teammate. This heroic action was reported by The Review-Journal.
“Today was the first time ever, in my 26 years of nursing that I had to do CPR on a kid,” she said.
Requiring composure in the midst of a chaotic situation, Phifer-Hill took action when he saw that the teen had collapsed after playing; with cold rain falling and panic erupting throughout, he began chest compressions and used an external defibrillator. According to the paper’s report, “everyone was panicking.”
“Her family was not at the game, but finally arrived,” the post read. “We were able to get a heart rhythm.” According to Phifer-Hill, the teen was hospitalized and intubated before her death, as reported by the Review-Journal. After this news spread, her post was no longer visible online – deleted without a trace.
On Friday, those who knew and loved the late 16-year-old paid tribute to her unwavering passion for the sport.
Enttroda and Twayne Hughes, the parents of the girl, expressed in a statement “She loved music, dancing, and being around all the people she loved … She called football the real love of her life!”
On Friday afternoon, an online fundraiser for Ashari Hughes’ funeral expenses was created and it exceeded all expectations in a mere two hours! The contribution amount surpassed $2,000 quickly and by Saturday morning the total had reached over $21,000 of the desired goal of $50,000. Amazingly generous people continue to donate with each passing minute.
On Friday, Desert Oasis Principal Ian Salzman sent an email to the school community reminding parents to be aware of how grief can manifest in children and inviting them to seek out counseling or other services if they believe their child may need assistance.
