12-year-old goes into cardiac arrest after crashing his bike, Minnesota cops say

Despite wearing a helmet, a 12-year-old boy’s severe head injury from a bike crash caused him to go into cardiac arrest, Minnesota authorities say.

The boy — Raghav Shrestha — is now fighting for his life after the Oct. 5 accident in Sartell, according to a news release from the Sartell Police Department.=

Raghav was with another boy when he crashed his bike near the bottom of a hill, police said. The friend called 911, and a good Samaritan provided CPR to Raghav, who police said did not have a pulse.

It was determined that Raghav went into cardiac arrest from the crash, investigators said.

Police said Raghav “regained vital signs” at a nearby hospital before being flown to Hennepin County Medical Center in critical condition.

There, the “fun-loving, adventurous” boy was put on life support, according to a Spotfund fundraiser.

“Right now, his outcome is still uncertain,” loved ones said in the fundraiser. “We don’t know what the days ahead will bring, but we do know that Raghav is strong, loved, and surrounded by people who are fighting hard for him and praying for his recovery. Please pray for a miracle.”

Raghav is a seventh-grade student at Sartell-St. Stephen Middle School, police said, adding that its officers were helping staff members provide support to students.

Officers expressed gratitude toward the witnesses who helped the boy after the accident.

“Throughout this incident multiple citizens ran in to help, several with medical experience, and gave assistance however they could, including assisting EMS staff and comforting the juvenile friend to the victim,” police said. “We are extremely grateful for their willingness to help and step up when our staff and one of our citizens needed it most.”

Sartell is about a 75-mile drive northwest from Minneapolis.