- April 25, 2024
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At the Summer Shotgun race Saturday, July 14, five runners selflessly stopped mid-race to assist a fellow runner who was having a heart attack.
Runners Amy Coopersmith, Maria Pulgliese, Carrie Meng and an unknown runner all stopped when a fellow runner collapsed in front of them. Coopersmith, Meng and the unknown lady took turns administering CPR, while Pulgliese used her lungs to flag down more help and held the fallen man’s hand.
It was a team effort when Ray Knowles and Roger Spires joined to help. Knowles, who happened to be running with his cell phone, called 911, and Spires took off his shoe to provide a pillow for the patient’s head.
The six stuck together until the ambulance arrived and transported the fallen runner to Florida Hospital Flagler. He was released Monday, July 18.
But the goodwill of the running community did not stop there. Brooke Tucker, who won first place in the female 30-34 age division, gave her medal to Meng because she didn’t feel right keeping it knowing that they would’ve been competitors.
“This morning was a roller coaster of emotions that luckily had a happy ending,” Meng said in a Saturday Facebook post. “Everyone’s support was amazing and inspiring.”
For a photo gallery of the race, click here.
