A MAN was recovering in hospital last night after collapsing with a suspected heart attack seconds before a Huddersfield run.
Athlete Sean Doyle is in the cardiac unit at Leeds General Infirmary and was put into an induced coma after collapsing in Greenhead Park on Saturday.
He was about to take part in the regular Parkrun in the park and was given emergency first aid by three doctors who were also due to start the five kilometre run.
An emergency responder from Yorkshire Ambulance Service was on the scene within three minutes to help before Mr Doyle was rushed to hospital.
Paul Sinton-Hewitt, director and founder of Parkrun, said: “It’s possible his life was saved because this happened just before he was about to join the run.
“It could well have happened while he was out on a run on his own, with no-one to help.
“There were three doctors lining up for the start of the run and they immediately gave help to Sean, with CPR.
“Our policy is always to alert the emergency services at once and an ambulance responder was on the scene within three minutes, closely followed by an ambulance.
“Sean was taken immediately to Leeds General Infirmary and was put into an induced coma.
“We have checked with his family and he was brought out of the coma late on Sunday and was able to move about and talk to his family and the medical staff.
“We all hope he will make a full recovery.”
Mr Doyle, who is in his late 40s, was a regular at the Parkruns. He had completed eight of them and was regarded as a fit man.
He is also a member of Holmfirth Harriers and a keen runner. He has completed the London Marathon and only last month did the Blackpool Marathon in a personal best of 3 hrs 29.38.
Saturday’s run was cancelled because of what had happened to Mr Doyle.
There have been more than 100 Parkruns in Greenhead Park and the numbers taking part average just short of 200 runners.
