An Oklahoma high school basketball game turned into a moment of heroism when a player’s quick thinking saved an opponent’s life.
The intense scene unfolded on January 9 at Mulhall-Orlando High School during a game between Dover High School and Life Christian Academy. Just three minutes into the match, 16-year-old Randy Vitales, a sophomore from Dover, suddenly collapsed on the court. He had gone into cardiac arrest.
Magnus Miller, an 18-year-old player from the opposing team, didn’t hesitate. As soon as he saw what was happening, he jumped into action. Magnus, who is trained as a lifeguard, grabbed an automated external defibrillator (AED) and worked with Dover’s coaches to try to save Randy’s life.
“It wasn’t a time to think; I just acted,” Magnus shared. “It felt surreal, but I knew what I needed to do.”
With no pulse detected, Magnus used the AED to restart Randy’s heart. After that, CPR was performed for about 20 minutes until paramedics arrived. The Guthrie Fire Department later praised Magnus, saying his actions “without a shadow of a doubt” saved Randy’s life.
Randy was rushed to Children’s Hospital in Oklahoma City, where he began undergoing tests. In a statement, Dover Public Schools credited their coaches’ quick response and training as critical to saving him. Superintendent Jay Wood expressed gratitude for everyone involved, saying, “There were several heroes and a guardian angel in that gym.”
Since the incident, the community has rallied around Randy and his family. An account has been set up at a local bank to help cover medical bills, and “Dover Strong” T-shirts featuring Randy’s jersey number, 24, are being sold to raise funds.
Thankfully, by January 11, Randy’s condition had improved, and he was taken off a ventilator. He’s now breathing on his own, a development that has given everyone hope.
Reflecting on the experience, Magnus humbly credited a higher power for guiding him through such a life-changing moment. “It’s strange to hear people say you saved someone’s life,” he said. “But I believe it was God who was there for both of us that day.”
