Onlookers rush to save 12-year-old girl who collapsed on soccer field, Arizona family says

A 12-year-old soccer player is recovering in the hospital after collapsing and going into cardiac arrest during practice, the Arizona family told news outlets.

Pyper Midkiff was 20 minutes into her soccer practice April 27 when she collapsed on the field, according to an April 28 post on Facebook by her dad, Matt.

Midkiff, a star athlete on the team with no prior health conditions, went into cardiac arrest, according to news outlet AZ Family. A mother of a player on her team ran over to the 12-year-old and “performed lifesaving CPR” until medics arrived.

“One of those things that’s never going to happen to you right? I mean, a healthy 12-year-old, a healthy 12-year-old with no symptoms with parents that are fit and healthy,” Midkiff’s dad told FOX 10. “I’ve coached for 28 years. I’ve never seen anything happen like this. I’m a physical therapist and I thought the worst case would be a broken leg.”

Midkiff’s heart stopped on the way to the hospital, but paramedics were able to get it beating again before arriving, according to the Facebook post. She was airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

The girl is recovering “as they do all the tests and probably will be for a while,” her father said on Facebook. There was no update on her condition as of May 1.

Midkiff’s mother, Jessica, who describes the ordeal as “a miracle,” said she is “believing in a full recovery.”

Midkiff “tried to get out of bed and reach for her lines and breathing tubes,” according to a May 1 post on Facebook by her mom.

“Pyper is a fighter. Anyone who knows her knows that,” her father said on Facebook. “We need Pyper back 100%. The world needs more Pypers that are 100%.”

This story was originally published May 1, 2023 at 3:02 PM with the headline "Onlookers rush to save 12-year-old girl who collapsed on soccer field, Arizona family says."