Overview
- The victim was identified as Benjamín Valentín Donofrio, a 14-year-old in the youth ranks of Club Atlético Sarmiento de La Banda who collapsed after being hit by the ball during a local match; he died despite CPR and hospital care.
- The incident occurred in La Banda’s Primero de Mayo neighborhood during the early evening on Tuesday, and bystanders called emergency services after he first felt pain, convulsed and then lost cardiorespiratory function.
- Public prosecutor Ximena Jerez directed a forensic pericia and the body was sent to the judicial morgue while officers from Comisaría Comunitaria Nº 12 collected witness statements at the scene.
- One local outlet cited commotio cordis—a rare arrhythmia triggered by sudden chest impact—as a possible cause but medical authorities have not confirmed that diagnosis pending the autopsy.
- The club and the local community have expressed deep grief in statements and online tributes, and the case could prompt renewed attention to on-field emergency response and training for youth sports organizers.