One of NSWRL’s High Performance referees coaches Nick Beashel has become a reluctant hero in saving the life of a 12 year-old soccer player by using a rescue app on his mobile phone and his first aid training, while out shopping.
Xavier Lentini had finished training at Eschol Park Sports Complex in western Sydney, when he suffered a heart attack which Beashel was alerted to through the GoodSam app.
First Aid responders using the app are shown there is someone in cardiac arrest nearby.
Beashel (Photo above: Bryden Sharp) and another adult gave Xavier CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) until ambulance officers arrived. Xavier spent a week in Westmead Hospital but has made a full recovery.
The incident happened last year but a television story about the Lentini family’s fight to save their son was aired this week on Channel 10’s news-entertainment program, ‘The Project’.
Beashel told nswrl.com.au he was reluctant to be interviewed thinking the praise should go to the GoodSam app.
“It’s not about me – it’s about the app. I don’t want any recognition; I just want to get the app better known out there and get more people on it,” he said.
“I’m no hero or anything like that. I just did what I’d hope any person would do for a family member or friend.”
Beashel is trained in using both CPR and an AED (automated external defibrillator).
“I’m a primary school teacher so we do our CPR training every year,” he said.
“I’ve never really needed my first aid training on the footy field yet, which is probably a good thing.
“Obviously when you do the training you know that if you’re in that situation you can do what you can straight away.
“You’re not expected to be like the professionals. You’re there to give what aid you can until the ambulance paramedics or a doctor arrives.”
Beashel was a NRL match official for 12 years before leaving to return to grade refereeing in 2020 joining the NSWRL squad in 2021. He retired from on-field officiating at the end of last year.
But this year he accepted a coaches position with NSWRL’s High Performance Squad managed by former NRL and Super League coach and player, Stuart Raper.
