TENERIFE striker Jesus de Miguel died from “accidental chest trauma”, a post-mortem has found.
Pathologists have submitted their preliminary conclusions about the reasons for the 30-year-old dad-of-one’s passing in a report to an investigating court in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz.
The results of further tests conducted during the autopsy are still pending and are expected to be carried out in a specialist lab on the Spanish mainland.
Jesus was involved in a sickening clash with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono in the 97th minute of a second-division showdown on Monday.
The chest trauma has been described in the preliminary report as a “cause consistent with the player’s death.”
Owono used “excessive force” while contesting the ball near the halfway line according to the match referee’s report.
Well-placed sources said they expected the findings of the extra tests to “corroborate” the initial forensic conclusion.
Jesus’ body was flown to the Spanish mainland yesterday so his funeral can take place this afternoon in the small town of Navahermosa, 80 miles south-west of Madrid, where his devastated parents are based.
Confirming receipt of the preliminary autopsy report yesterday and the authorisation of the transfer of the footballer’s body, the Canary Islands High Court of Justice said: “The court investigating the footballer’s death, which is Court of Investigation Number Two of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Court of First Instance, received the preliminary autopsy report today.
“The contents of that report remain confidential out of respect for the privacy of the deceased and his family.
“The court has authorised the transport of the young man’s remains to the mainland for burial.”
Brief details of the findings from the post-mortem leaked overnight as Jesus’ teammates prepared to travel to Navahermosa for his funeral.
His parents will make the return trip after jetting to Tenerife to try to reach their son before he died in hospital on Tuesday morning.
Jesus’ dad was watching the contest in a bar in his hometown when he saw him slump to the ground.
A local told a Spanish TV programme yesterday the father started crying as soon as he saw the impact of the collision and gathered his family to travel to Tenerife.
They joined Jesus’ girlfriend Maria Fernandez when they reached the island.
Equatorial Guinea international Owono, who has lived in Spain since he was eight, was red-carded for the challenge on the Tenerife striker.
The match was suspended when the two sides were drawing 2-2.
Tragic Jesus, whose partner and one-year-old daughter Carla were watching from the stands, was reportedly revived by paramedics on the pitch after going into cardiac arrest before being rushed to hospital.
His club confirmed around 9.30am local time on Tuesday he had died about 8am the same day.
Tenerife said they were “heartbroken” and had a “lump in their throats” after earlier revealing the footballer’s neurological condition had worsened.
Owono, who is facing a lengthy ban and possible criminal charges, broke his silence yesterday to say he feels “immense pain”.
He released a statement via FC Andorra that said: “These are the most difficult days of my life.
“I am struggling to find the words, and it is very hard for me to process anything that has happened.
“I feel immense pain over the loss of Jesus. I am thinking of him, his family, and all the people who loved him.
“I know there will be many matters to address, and I will face whatever comes with complete respect.
“But right now, honestly, I cannot think of anything other than Jesus and the grief we are experiencing. Rest in peace, Jesus.”
Police investigating the death are probing the emergency medical response as well as the possibility Owono’s horror tackle could be involuntary manslaughter.
It emerged on Tuesday afternoon homicide squad officers based in the Tenerife capital Santa Cruz had launched a probe.
And court officials explained any death “not resulting from natural causes” automatically triggers a judicial investigation.
Legal experts have said they don’t expect the ongoing investigation to lead to criminal charges against Owono as the clash occurred during open play, although he is expected to be hit with a lengthy ban.
But yesterday it emerged the police investigation will also review the medical response to Monday’s emergency.
Cops are seeking to address questions about Jesus being given oxygen on the pitch and whether a defibrillator was used from the outset as well as issues around the assistance he received during his ambulance transfer.
He died at Nuestra Senora Candelaria University Hospital in Santa Cruz.
Medical personnel involved in his care are expected to be questioned and detectives will sift through medical reports as part of the probe.
Well-placed sources told local press there were “certain discrepancies within the reports, or potential inaccuracies when compared to other evidence in the case” such as video footage recorded and posted on social media.
Respected island newspaper El Dia said in an article published yesterday: “Among the issues currently under investigation, which according to sources remained unresolved as of yesterday, is whether the medical team who rushed from the sidelines to the centre of the pitch carrying a stretcher, a spinal board, and an automated external defibrillator to attend to the player, acted with due diligence during the more than six minutes they spent on the pitch before placing him on the spinal board for transport to an ambulance, which was stationed at one of the stadium access gates on La Mutine Street.”
It added: “Investigators are also looking into an even more striking question.
“After a Guedel airway, a curved, semi-rigid oropharyngeal tube, was inserted into the player’s mouth following his loss of consciousness, to prevent his tongue from obstructing his airway, was he also provided with oxygen during the resuscitation efforts on the pitch, as is required by protocol?
“According to sources, efforts are still underway to gather all available evidence to determine whether Jesus was administered oxygen, either via a bag-valve mask or a face mask connected to one of the oxygen cylinders kept pitchside at the stadium.
“Sources indicate that this remains unresolved, at least regarding the medical care provided on the field of play.
“Furthermore, footage of the player being transported on a spinal board suggests that oxygen was not being administered during that process.
“Additionally, during the evacuation from the centre of the pitch to the ambulance, the player was carried on a spinal board by individuals who were moving at a jog.
“The manner in which the patient was transported, which should never have been carried out in such a way, was highly dangerous to their physical well-being.”
