Rhiannon Ingle
A high school football player who collapsed during summer workout drills has been taken off life support.
Robert Bush from Long Island was put on life support after tragically suffering a sudden cardiac arrest last Monday (3 July) at Newfield High School in Selden after just four minutes on the field.
Robert's coaches attempted to save him with CPR and the use of a defibrillator before he was quickly rushed to Stony Brook Hospital.
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Doctors officially declared the 17-year-old as clinically dead on Friday (7 July) after the teen's family made the decision to take Robert off life support so that his organs could be donated.
Robert's brother Steven told CBS on Friday: "We’re at the beginning of the final stages of my brother.
"We haven’t said our goodbyes, but that’s what we are preparing to do, talk about organ donation."
The teen - who was adopted as a baby and was one of 10 siblings - is now being remembered as a hero for donating his organs and saving three lives in the process of doing so.
Steven said: "We just found out moments ago he's helping a 60-year-old female in Massachusetts, a 60-year-old female in New Jersey and a 50-year-old female here in New York. Surgery's just completed now."
While details have not yet been disclosed regarding the exact cause of Robert's sudden collapse, it has been reported that he may have had an unknown hereditary condition that affected his heart.
Joshua, Robert's cousin, has since called for further safety requirements in summer sports programs.
He told CBS: "As an athletic trainer myself, we’ve got to make sure we are advocating for medical professionals for these kids. Practice, conditioning, it doesn’t matter.
"Someone needs to be there. Could have made the difference."
A GoFundMe page has since been set up in a hopes of raising $50,000 for his mourning family.
The fundraiser's description reads: "On Monday, July 3rd, one of Newfield High School’s students was at football practice when he suddenly collapsed."
Organizer LeeAnn Mazzillo explained the page was started as means for the local area to 'come together as a community to help the family during their time of need'.
"Please consider donating but if you can’t, please send your healing thoughts and prayers for this family," it concludes.
The page has currently raised more than $25,000 at the time of writing.