By Elizabeth Celms, Mercer Island Reporter City Reporter
Today, 2:09 PM · UPDATED
Emergency medical attention was required when a male runner collapsed of a heart attack within feet of the Rotary Half-Marathon finish line on Sunday. According to Sam Sullivan, director of the Mercer Island Rotary Run, as of March 22, the man was still hospitalized in an induced coma but breathing on his own. Doctors are optimistic for a good recovery.
"The fact that an ER nurse was right there [at the finish line] and started CPR immediately was very fortuitous," Sullivan said. "There was also a spectator, a woman, who jumped the barricade and administered mouth to mouth." (Me!!!)
The director added that there were five other medical emergencies during the race.
"At the time the man collapsed the EMT's, who were stationed at the event all day, were working on another man who was not in as bad condition so we got them down to him as soon as we found out how serious his condition was," he said.
None of the other emergencies, however, were as severe as the man who collapsed.
"All of the others are doing fine as far as we know," Sullivan said.
In all of the emergency chaos, Sullivan said that nobody identified the ER nurse, a race participant, who resuscitated the man. His family is asking anyone who might know the nurse's name to report it, so they can thank him personally.
I must say, I am so happy that this poor man is going to be ok. It is a day in my life that I will never forget. On a less serious note,... Man! Those chest compressions sure get the glory! LOL Well, I am proud of me at least. :)
