School officials address misinformation about Chance Gainer

PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – School officials told NewsChannel 7 they wanted to dispel any speculation about the medical emergency that occurred Friday night.

During the football game between Port St. Joe High School and Liberty County High School, Tiger Sharks star player Chance Gainer suddenly collapsed.

Gulf District Schools Superintendent Jim Norton told NewsChannel 7 that when Gainer collapsed, his coaches immediately rushed to his aid.

Norton also said the coaching staff always carries a defibrillator with them in case of emergency.

When the coaches realized the seriousness of the situation, they quickly flagged down the ambulance parked behind the goal post, according to Norton.

He says that when the medical experts reached Gainer, the trainers backed off and left the job to the professionals.

Superintendent Norton also said that paramedics worked to stabilize Gainer in order to get him to a hospital in Tallahassee. When they were unable to do so, Norton told us that Gainer was taken to a hospital in Blountstown.

Norton says everyone involved did everything medically possible to save Gainer's life.

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