2nd Comrades death confirmed

2007-06-18 09:47

Durban - A second Comrades Marathon runner has died in hospital, just hours after Gauteng athlete, Michael Gordon, lost his life after crossing the finishing line in Durban.

Jeremy Boulter, chief medical officer for the Comrades Marathon Association, confirmed on Monday morning that a Cape Town man who had been admitted to St Augustine's hospital after Sunday's race, died at about 22:00.

The CMA has withheld the name of the Cape Town man until they have notified the next of kin.

Gordon, 34, died after suffering cardiac arrest.

"Immediate and extensive CPR was performed for 20 minutes but medics were unfortunately unsuccessful. Current indications are that his heart had stopped prior to him crossing the line," Boulter confirmed.

A packed stadium watched as the pale body was carried toward the line by four anxious runners each gripping a limp limb. At this point the man's eyes were shut and he appeared unconscious.

Boulter said further tests will be conducted to determine whether any underlying causes contributed to the death.

CMA media liaison Katia Jones said it was "a very sad day for the Comrades Marathon, especially after his fellow runners went to such lengths to carry him across the line".

CMA general manager, Gary Boshoff, couldn't be reached for comment.

- News24