Soccer player who nearly drowned in Lake Tahoe out of coma

Matheus Silva, the professional soccer player from the San Jose Earthquakes who nearly drowned in Lake Tahoe on July 4, came out of a coma Thursday and is now breathing on his own.

The 20-year-old did not have a pulse when he was brought onto shore at Zephyr Cove Resort after he'd swam out to buoys during an early morning swim. Matheus and some of his teammates arrived early in the morning to secure a spot on the beach for the July 4 activities.

During a 6:00 a.m. swim, Matheus went out to some buoys but began struggling to stay afloat and called out for help. His teammates rushed into the lake and nearby paddle boarders also came to his aid, pulling Matheus out of the water and bringing him to shore.

A bystander on the beach began performing CPR, eventually reviving Matheus and restoring his breathing and heartbeat while first responders from Tahoe Douglas Fire were alerted. He was immediately taken to Barton Memorial Hospital in South Lake Tahoe before being airlifted to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno, where he was unresponsive.

Earthquakes general manager Jesse Fioranelli and Matheus’ family from Brazil flew to Reno to support him. He remained in a coma until Thursday late morning, when he woke up and was extubated. Matheus is responsive and able to speak and now expected to undergo a series of outpatient cognitive and physical tests before being released from the Intensive Care Unit. He is scheduled to begin physical therapy on Friday.

“We are incredibly excited and relieved to announce that Matheus Silva has awoken from his coma and is fully responsive,” said Fioranelli. “The entire Earthquakes organization is grateful for the invaluable effort by the doctors, players and staff at Reno 1868 FC and bystanders on the beach that contributed to Matheus being alive and well today.”

The Brazilian soccer player has been on loan from the Earthquakes to the Reno 1868 FC.