A 24-year-old man has died after being rushed to hospital in the middle of a Montreal half-marathon Sunday.
The coroner’s office confirmed Monday that Patrick Neely died while taking part in the Oasis de Montreal half-marathon — a 21.1-kilometre run.
Paramedics had previously reported the man was participating in the full marathon.
The incident has raised questions about paramedic response times for heart-related problems.
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Urgences-Santé chief of operations Stéphane Smith told Global News his responders answered a call within seven minutes of a man in cardiac arrest, just a few kilometres from the finish line.
“When we arrived, the first responders were there. We took charge of the patient and transported him to hospital,” Smith told Global News.
“There was no change in his situation during the ride.”
Marathon organizers said in a statement that all appropriate resources were in place on race day.
“Staffing, planning, and preparation related to medical support for the event has been ongoing for nearly a year,” the satement read. They went on to say that more than 50 AED’s (automated external defibrillator) and over 80 health professionals were present throughout the course as well as eight ambulances dedicated to the event.
“We would like to thank the fast response of the Good Samaritan for their efforts as well as event medical personnel who worked diligently to treat the race participant,” organizers added.
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However, the event’s organizer, Dominic Piché, said Sunday that the event start was delayed due to a a lack of staff to secure the route barricades.
The marathon has a history of medical emergencies.
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In 2015, a 34-year-old woman went into cardiac arrest midway through the race. That same year, another man collapsed at the finish line.
In 2011, a man in his 30s was also pronounced dead after suffering heart failure.
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Nearly 18,000 participants were enrolled in the weekend’s five marathon events.
There will be an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Neely’s death.
— with files from The Canadian Press.
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