Antonio Loiacono, a player for the Australian rules football team (a sport similar to rugby), died on the field after contact with an opponent, but two lives were saved by an organ transplant.

Australian football rulesPhoto: domonabike / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia

Loiacono, 20, collapsed on the field during Birdwood FC’s first game of the new season.

Immediately after the accident, Loiacono was taken to the hospital, put on respiratory support, but died overnight from Sunday to Monday. Antonio was declared brain dead, but the family learned that he would save two lives.

“The blow was so strong that his heart stopped on the spot. The doctor told us that the cerebral pressure and hemorrhage would increase and that in less than 24 hours he would be brain dead.

Save a little boy and a 19-year-old man through organ donation. Even if we are sad, this is good news.” – Jack Loiaconobrother Antonio, quoted by News.ro.