Dad of four saved after heart attack at Parkrun finish line
A 57-year-old father of four had a miraculous escape after suffering a heart attack at the end of a Parkrun event in Bognor Regis. David Knowles, an experienced runner with 185 Parkruns under his belt, collapsed after crossing the finish line on November 2. Fortunately, off-duty paramedic Alice Cox-Rusbridge, 23, along with lifeguards Callum Strowger, 24, and Jake Miles, 22, who had just finished their runs, sprang into action. They performed CPR and used a defibrillator to revive him before he was rushed to Queen Alexandra Hospital for further treatment.
David expressed his gratitude to his rescuers and credited their quick actions for saving his life. He recounted the moment he collapsed, saying he had felt faint after completing the run and then woke up in an ambulance on the way to the hospital. Despite being in good health and leading an active lifestyle, David’s unexpected cardiac arrest has left doctors puzzled as they investigate the cause. He remains in hospital as tests and procedures are being carried out, with his condition improving gradually.
During his 185th Parkrun, David initially felt fine before experiencing the sudden cardiac arrest while resting post-run. Lifeguards Callum and Jake noticed his distress and, with the help of a nurse named Jennifer, immediately provided assistance. Alice, the off-duty paramedic, took charge of the situation and successfully performed chest compressions and used the defibrillator to restore David’s breathing. Thanks to their prompt intervention, David’s life was saved, despite cardiac arrest outside a hospital setting having a low survival rate.
David’s close call has reinforced his appreciation for the Parkrun community and the individuals who came to his rescue. He is eager to return to Parkrun once he has recovered fully to achieve his goal of completing 200 runs. In the meantime, he plans to participate as a ‘Parkwalker’ to aid his rehabilitation. Reflecting on the incident, David acknowledged the significance of being surrounded by caring individuals during his medical emergency and expressed his heartfelt thanks to the Bognor Parkrun team and his rescuers.
Callum, one of the lifeguards involved in the rescue, expressed his pride in the team’s efforts and emphasised the importance of their swift actions in saving David’s life. As David continues his recovery in the hospital, he remains optimistic and looks forward to reuniting with his rescuers to personally thank them for their heroic deeds. The incident serves as a poignant reminder of the critical role that quick thinking and access to emergency medical equipment play in saving lives, even in unexpected situations like a leisurely weekend run.