SAD NEWS - MWC[MCC] Tragedy about a cricket player playing in Detroit Cricket League

OUR GRIEF AND CONDOLENCES - CRICKET MERCHANT LLC

From: Vijay Vakulabharanam
Let me put the whole incident in sequential manner.

After 12 overs, the Captain of the fielding side informed that Muthu is dehydrated and wants to get some water. I said OK and waited for him to return
after the short break. But he took a minute extra which forced me to continue with the game since we were running behind schedule. I informed the same thing to the bowler that he can't enter in to the field in between the over to which bowler agreed and we resumed the play. Immediately after one or two balls Muthu wanted to return to the field, but I said after the over. As per the rules of the game we need to have a drinks break after every 14 overs. But I called
drinks break after 13 overs since on the last delivery of the over a wicket fell and my intention was to make some time in the change of batsmen.

After the stipulated 10 mins drinks break, I asked the teams to get on to the field. At that time one of the player from the fielding team informed me that
Muthu was having chest pain extending to left arm and also nausea sensation and another player will be taking him to hospital. I advised instead of taking him
to hospital call 911 which will give him immediate medical attention which may not be possible when you take Muthu to hospital. In mean time Muthu informed
that he is feeling better and one of his teammate gave him Aspirin 80mg (kids dose), 3 pills and also advised him to eat a banana. He ate the banana and the
pills. After taking confirmation from him that he is OK, we resume the play advising him to sit on bench.

As the 14th over progressed Muthu was walking from bench to car, talking on the phone etc. Some of his team mates were asking him if he was OK and he was
saying, he is OK. At the end of the 14th over when we were switching sides Muthu suddenly shouted for help and fell down on the ground.

Immediately, I called 911 and every player rushed to him to see what happened. He was on the ground breathing heavily and lying on the ground. Every body was in panic situation and did not know what to do. There were couple of medically trained persons in the form of physical therapist, they tried call out his name
and tried to make him bring into conscious and few talking to 911 giving directions of the ground ( you know how the ground does not a house address, it
has only cross streets and players go there based on exp). Mean time Muthu was unable to breathe freely and there were large intervals between his exhale and inhale cycles, which we could notice that there was no movements of stomach area. He was also sticking his tongue out. Everybody was talking about CPR but nobody could remember the procedure in that panic state, even the trained physical therapists. (So basically no CPR provided to Muthu). So may be after a
minute Muthu stopped breathing and stuck his tongue just out and everybody could realize that he stopped breathing.

The ambulance arrived within 5 mins from the time we made a call. The para medic staff arrived and tried to stroke his heart and they found no response. They
shifter him to the ambulance and not sure what they did inside for about 15 mins as no one was allowed inside. Finally they said they could not revive his
breathe so shifting to hospital and we asked to follow the ambulance to the close by hospital Mclaren Hospital in Flint.

All the players were dumb stuck, agreed to call of the game and proceed to hospital.

At the hospital we were kept waiting for more than an hour without any update (as per law only the close family members would be informed by the hospital
staff). In mean time his wife was informed about the situation and she was driven to the hospital by Muthu's friend. Later he was pronounced dead due to
heat stroke resulting in cardiac arrest.

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Later when players were discussing at the hospital about the entire incident, found that he was boozing on Friday night, did not drink much but had 3 or 4
beers, skipped his breakfast. He was also on medication for high Blood Pressure, had a family history of diabetes (could on the border himself though not diagnosed as he was a bulky personality) . He also bowled 2 overs before he complained of pain and dehydration.

In my observation- - Never booze on the night before the game because the it can accelerate your dehydration (in this kind of weather). Do not skip your meals, keep yourself fully hydrated. Never hesitate to call 911 even for a small cause (even in regular scenarios). I know it is hard to remember the CPR procedure but would recommend every one to be aware how it should be performed on others as
well as on self. Do not think because of your age nothing serious would happen to you, as Muthu was only 35 yrs. Anything can happen to anyone at anytime and at any age.

You can add your views on the incident and create more awareness among the
players.