Participant of Singapore Bay Run dies at end of 21km
run
By Susheel Kaur, Foo Siew Shyan and Margaret Perry, Channel
NewsAsia |
Posted: 26 August 2007 1622 hrs
SINGAPORE: A participant of the Singapore Bay Run, also known as
the SAFRA Sheares Bridge Run & Army Half Marathon, collapsed
and died on Sunday morning.
25-year-old Captain Ho Si Qiu, a platoon commander at the Singapore
Armed Forces Officer Cadet School, collapsed at 7am at the end of
his 21-kilometre run.
Medics attended to him within 30 seconds.
At the medical post, an intubation was performed and when no heart
rhythm was shown, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was
immediately carried out.
Captain Ho failed to respond and was sent to the hospital some 20
minutes later.
The cause of his death is being investigated.
Organisers of the run have extended their deepest condolences to
the family of Captain Ho.
Organisers said proper safety measures were in place, with 13 medic
points set up and over 100 medical personnel deployed.
Sixteen ambulances, each equipped with defibrillators, were also
present.
Captain Ho's death is the second sudden death from a marathon this
year the first athlete who died was 17-year-old Thaddeus Cheong
in June.
As sports participation among Singaporeans is on an up trend, the
Singapore Sports Council has already stepped up safety training
among its staff.
Oon Jin Teik, CEO of the Singapore Sports Council, said: "We have
to expand this safety awareness to all parties the public, the
organisers and everyone concerned with organising mass events and
understanding the risks involved.
"Sports is still very safe and sports is still important to prevent
health issues. But at the same time, we are trying to ensure that
all aspects are covered."
The latest casualty comes at a time when the National Sports Safety
Committee is due to release its report to the Sports Council.
The committee is fine-tuning the report to ensure all areas of
safety are covered and best measures are implemented.
The Community Development, Youth and Sports Ministry (MCYS) is also
studying a preliminary report that has been submitted by the
National Sports Safety Committee and is discussing the findings
with relevant sports associations.
Some 70,000 people took part in the run this year 5,000 more than
last year including Community Development, Youth and Sports
Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Defence Minister Teo Chee
Hean.
Dr Balakrishnan said he was saddened by the death of Captain Ho,
but he believed organisers had taken all possible safety
measures.
He said: "As I was running, I noticed there were many ambulances,
medical teams and medical equipment. This was one event in which
the SAF, I believe, took every effort to make sure the medical
cover was present, was available and was able to move into action
immediately.
"At the finish line, he (Captain Ho) was treated by a full medical
team, including a doctor. So at this time, it appears that what
measures could be taken, were taken."
- CNA/so
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My condolences to the family..