Collapsed Marathon Runner Meets Her Hero
A Rochester woman who collapsed during the Detroit Free Press marathon has met the man who saved her life. A spokeswoman at Detroit Receiving Hospital said the local police officer wants to remain anonymous, but he brought flowers to the runner who was with her husband at the hospital Tuesday morning.
Two other nurses and a doctor were performing CPR on the 51-year old woman when the officer stopped and started doing chest compressions.
The woman collapsed near the Ambassador Bridge at mile marker two during the 33rd annual event last Sunday.
Hospital spokesperson Ruth Kremer spoke with WWJ about the pair's meeting.
"She had no memory of the race. So, he was filling her in on what happened, and he told her where she fell down and a number of other things. And, he said, 'Well, you look at lot better than when I saw you the first time,' and we all laughed," Kremer said.
"And, she said, 'The only regret I have is that I didn't finish," Kremer said.
Kremer said the woman is in stable condition and improving. She hopes to now meet with the two nurses and doctor that also helped her.
The Free Press has awarded the woman a finishing medal.
Three men collapsed and died during last year's 13.1-mile half-marathon.
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