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Earthquakes Player Wakes Up from Coma After Nearly Drowning in Lake Tahoe

Matheus Silva was out swimming when he almost drowned from suspected cold water shock. His teammates saved him.
Kevin Jairaj—USA TODAY Sports

San Jose Earthquakes defender and Brazilian national Matheus Silva emerged from a coma yesterday morning after being rescued from a drowning incident in Lake Tahoe two days prior, according to the Associated Press.

Silva, who is currently on loan to United Soccer League's Reno 1868 FC, was rescued by teammates after nearly drowning in what local authorities believe to be a case of cold-water shock syndrome, a condition that cramps up muscles.

According to a statement from the team, Silva went to Tahoe with teammates for a Fourth of July celebration and jumped in early in the morning when they first arrived. He began swimming out further into the lake, which dips to the mid-50s even in the summer time, when he started having trouble staying afloat and began to drown. While waiting for emergency crews to arrive, Silva's teammates and paddle boarders who were nearby were able to bring him back to shore. He did not have a pulse when they got him back on land, but another bystander performed CPR and eventually he was resuscitated. He was then taken to a nearby hospital and then airlifted to another facility in Reno. His family flew in from Brazil and were joined at the hospital by Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli.

After waking, Silva was responsive and able to speak. He is still in the ICU and is expected to undergo a battery of tests before beginning physical therapy.