A Little League outing at a southeast Houston park turned into a life-or-death emergency Tuesday evening when a 14-year-old boy was shocked by a light pole and went into cardiac arrest, his family says.
Relatives say the teen, identified as Angel Galeas, collapsed after touching an energized light pole at F.M. Law Park along Vasser Road. A nearby Little League coach immediately started CPR and kept going until first responders arrived, according to what the family told FOX 26 Houston.
The Houston Fire Department told FOX 26 Houston the call came in around 7 p.m. Crews continued life-saving measures at the scene, then rushed the teen to a nearby hospital. His family says he is now stable and recovering.
Why quick CPR likely helped
The American Heart Association notes that most people who suffer cardiac arrest outside a hospital do not survive without fast action, and that bystander CPR can double or even triple a person’s chances of making it; the AHA has been pushing for wider CPR training in neighborhoods and schools.
Clinical guidance also stresses that strong, continuous chest compressions and early defibrillation are key to better outcomes, a point underscored in emergency medicine references such as StatPearls. That aligns with what happened on the field, where the coach’s quick response likely bought crucial time before paramedics arrived.
What officials say and next steps
Houston Fire Department crews told FOX 26 Houston they shut off the park’s circuit breaker to de-energize the light pole after the shock. The City of Houston owns and operates F.M. Law Park.
FOX 26 Houston reported that city and Parks and Recreation officials had been contacted for comment on inspections and repairs but had not yet responded.
Neighbors and parents say the whole incident has them rattled and waiting for clear answers about what went wrong and how quickly it will be fixed. For now, the family says Angel is on the mend, and nearby residents say they will be paying close attention to whatever the city does next at the park.
