One day. Two cities. Two dead. DAVID KAWAI/POSTMEDIA
Men competing in Montreal, Ottawa races unable to be revived
Two men competing in separate races — one a marathon, the other a half-marathon in two different cities — died Sunday after medical staff were unable to resuscitate them.
In Montreal, 24-year-old Patrick Neely was one kilometre from the finish line of the Oasis Rock ‘N’ Roll Montreal Marathon when he collapsed about two hours into the race.
A medical resident unsuccessfully attempted to revive him and the province’s coroner confirmed his death Monday.
Paramedics received a call at 9:55 a.m. and made it to Neely seven minutes later, the Montreal Gazette reported.
The half-marathon started an hour late, at 8 a.m. that morning, due to a staffing shortage. There were not enough volunteers and staff to set up the race course in time, resulting in the delay.
In Ottawa, a man in his 20s collapsed after crossing the finish line in the Army Run Sunday.
Paramedics tried to resuscitate the man, even using “aggressive” measures, at 11:25 a.m. when he crossed the line.
He was taken to hospital in critical condition and pronounced dead there, the Ottawa Citizen reported.
City paramedics were at the run with partners Medvent and St. John Ambulance, bringing response units and ATV ambulances and working at clinics at the finish line.
Paramedics treated 15 patients Sunday, most suffering from heat-related dehydration and exhaustion or heart problems. Ten were taken to the hospital, three of them in serious condition.
Nearly 18,000 participants were enrolled in the five events of the Montreal Rock’n’roll Oasis Marathon.
On Saturday, 5,637 people participated in family-friendly events, including five-, tenand one-kilometre charity races.