Saving a life, seeing someone go from cardiac arrest to a breath and then to movement. "It's a huge emotion, it can't be explained."
Antonio Murgia, 47 years old, is a Navy petty officer originally from Girasole who lives in Tuscany. Among his greatest passions is sport: he has been a referee since 1992 and currently follows the third category of football.
After graduating from Lanusei he left Sardinia and enlisted. Some periods in La Maddalena and Cala Mosca, then the transfer to the Sarzana helicopter base.
Last Saturday he was in the car with two other Sardinian colleagues from the Aia section of Pisa, Marco Argiolas (from Cagliari) and Stefano Dore (from Olbia), going to the Vorno stadium (Lucca) to referee the match between the home team and the challengers , the Folgore Segromigno.
Antonio is at the wheel, they drive along the San Giuliano-Lucca road. At a certain point they see a person on the ground: "A motorcyclist who had collided with a car."
What is the scene in front of you?
«Heartbreaking, blood everywhere. I immediately ask Stefano to call the emergency number that we referees have. The motorbike on one side, destroyed, on the other this boy, his helmet broken in several places, and he isn't breathing. I am a former volunteer rescuer of the Misericordia of Pisa, and in addition for my job we follow specific courses for resuscitation maneuvers and use of the defibrillator. The lady who was driving the car, however, was in shock but only had pain in one wrist due to the explosion of the airbag."
<p>Antonio Murgia with fellow referees Marco Argiolas of Cagliari and Stefano Dore of Olbia (photo courtesy)</p>What happens right after?
«A girl who qualifies as a doctor approaches, we ask to call for help, in the meantime we turn the motorcyclist over to put him on his back. We open his suit, I start the cardiac massage, even in a difficult position because the asphalt was strewn with glass. The doctor on one side tries to understand if there is a heartbeat, I continue without stopping. Another passing motorist shows up, a cardiologist."
Vital signs?
«After about five minutes that boy seems to be breathing again, moves one foot and makes a movement as if he wants to get up. We block him, we explain to him that he has to stay still. Then the Pisa Misericordia ambulance arrives with the doctor, I recognize the driver, I ask if they need me. They stabilize the motorcyclist and leave with sirens blaring."
Was that the most emotional moment?
«When I realized that having acted immediately, in cold blood, and in the right way may have contributed to keeping him alive, I breathed a great sigh of relief. Probably the fact of having a past as a rescuer, combined with the rationality and preparation that I must have at work and also while I am a referee, helped me to have a clear understanding of the situation and not to lose control."
In the meantime, were they waiting for you at the camp?
«Yes, but they already knew everything, and when we arrived they gave us all the time to prepare, there was great collaboration. In the end the match started just 20 minutes late."
What did your family tell you?
«“Well done Murgia” was the comment of my youngest daughter, “I have a hero dad” was the comment of the eldest. Obviously I'm not a hero, but I'm happy I was able to do something for that boy."
And in the country where he lives?
"I've come across a lot of smiles these days, more than usual I think."
The Italian Referees Association publicly congratulated her: both the president Carlo Pacifici, and the National Committee, the president of the CRA Tuscany Tiziano Reni, and the president of the Aia Pisa section, Maurizio Sisia.
«The Hague is a beautiful reality. The matches I referee are all equally important to me, it doesn't matter which category, which field, the commitment is always at its maximum."
Are you also a fan?
«From the great Cagliari, of course. And "father Ranieri" has worked almost a miracle this year, including the players clearly. Now it remains to be seen who will arrive on the rossoblù bench, I will follow everything, as always."
