'Every Second Matters': Locust Valley Student Who Suffered Cardiac Arrest Reunites With Heroes

LOCUST VALLEY, NY — Locust Valley High School student Francesco Allocca reunited on Wednesday with medical staff and coaches who recently saved his life.

Allocca suffered a cardiac arrest during varsity basketball tryouts on Nov. 17 and had to be resuscitated by coaches and school staff with an AED. He was then treated by medical professionals at Glen Cove hospital and Cohen Children's Medical Center.

The 17-year-old and his mother Pia reunited with medical staff at Glen Cove Hospital's Pratt Auditorium.

Glen Cove Hospital’s Emergency Department Chairperson, Dr. Mityanand Ramnarine, spoke about the school staff and EMS workers' efforts to save Allocca's life.

“Performing CPR and using that AED was absolutely lifesaving,” Ramnarine said. “When it comes to cardiac arrests, we know that every second matters.”

Allocca was brought and cared for at Glen Cove Hospital before being sent to Cohen Children's Medical Center for additional treatment.

Pediatric Intensivist at Cohen Children’s Medical Center Dr. Cheryl Taurassi spoke highly of the school staff and EMS care.

“Francesco’s case shows how a coordinated chain of care, from the school staff to EMS to hospital specialists, can truly save a young life," she said.

His basketball coaches, Andrew Siegel, Andrew Bock, and Ben Martinez, as well as other coaches Brian Lorusso and Elliot Aramayo, helped during the medical emergency by providing CPR and utilizing an AED to stabilize Allocca.

Other staff and first responders came to Allocca's rescue as well, including Head Custodian and Locust Valley Fire Department Chief Artie Sandstrom, and Locust Valley Teaching Assistant Michael Sabatino.

Since then, the Locust Valley Central School District has ordered seven more AEDs.

The New York State Education Department states that schools have to have sufficient AEDs to ensure access for use during an emergency. Schools must provide and maintain on-site AEDs.

Locust Valley Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kristen Turnow shared how important it is to have an AED in a school.

“The AED was located right outside the gymnasium," she said. "In an emergency, you cannot be looking for an AED. To increase the survival rate, a three-minute response time is critical. This is why the strategic placement of AEDs is crucial to outcomes.”