In a high school soccer varsity match between Lindbergh High School and Kirkwood High School at Lindbergh school ground, referee suffered a heart attack and rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead. The referee Jim Duniven aged 59 and the native of Sappington suddenly collapsed on the field in the varsity match at around 7 PM on Tuesday. He immediately complained of heavy chest pain, so immediately taken to a hospital where he declared as dead just after a short while of reaching hospital. The whole incident is described by Chris Steinmetz, soccer coach of Kirkwood High School, he said, When referee issued a yellow card to one of his team player, that player starts moving off the field and suddenly referee seen collapsing on the field, which was noticed by the parents who screamed about his sudden failing. Steinmetz, who is a trainer and was available among the parents in the crowd, rushed to the field to take note of the situation.
A CPR was tried by the trainer and doctor until an emergency team arrived and took him to the hospital. Looking at the incident, whole crowd become silent and stunned to see something unexpected like this. Duniven has been the respected referee; perhaps, he has been rewarded Missouri State High School Activities Association’s referee for the year award in 2005. The sad demise of a respectable referee saddened both the schools. Noticeably, the trainer and a parent had a conversation with the referee before the match when referee told him that his wife is recording the match to see it later. Let’s see what new findings come into the limelight looking at the recording.
This is not the first time when someone has got a serious ailment on the ground, as we have seen many such incidents during many league and international matches. Anyways, the increasing burden of being accurate and pressure of both the teams sometimes contribute for such unexpected attacks. For now, both schools are revaluating the situation and trying to find the exact reason of this incident. Everyone on the field was praying for the well beings of the referee, perhaps, players of both the teams formed a circle on the field, linked their arms, and kneel down in a praying position. But, nothing could work for the referee, maybe he was more needed by God than us. May his soul rest in peace.