A runner who collapsed near the end of a Nottingham Half Marathon has praised the East Midlands Immediate Care Scheme (EMICS) for their rapid response, which was crucial in preventing life-threatening complications.
Ollie had been on track to complete the race when he suffered a sudden collapse around a mile from the finish line. He later woke up in a medical tent surrounded by emergency responders.
“I had no memory of running the half marathon, let alone collapsing,” he said. “I was severely dehydrated, and my temperature had become dangerously high. The team cooled me down using a specialist ice suit (Polar Life Pod). Without that, things could have been much worse.”
The EMICS team, made up of volunteer doctors and paramedics, were on hand to provide advanced pre-hospital care alongside East Midlands Ambulance Service. Their swift response helped stabilise Ollie before he was transferred to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham, where he was treated in intensive care.
Doctors diagnosed him with rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition caused by muscle breakdown and dehydration, which can lead to kidney failure if untreated.
“My body had effectively shut down to protect itself,” Ollie said. “But thanks to the early treatment I received, I made a full recovery.”
He spent three nights in hospital before being discharged. A month later, follow-up tests confirmed that he had returned to full health.
Dr Tim Baker, one of the EMICS volunteers at the event, also visited Ollie in hospital.
EMICS is a charity-run organisation that provides advanced medical support at the scene of emergencies across the East Midlands. The charity’s equipment, including the cooling suit used in Ollie’s treatment, is funded entirely through public donations.
“Having access to that kind of specialist kit isn’t standard everywhere,” Ollie added. “I’m incredibly grateful to the EMICS team, their care made all the difference.”
Despite the ordeal, Ollie says he hopes to take part in future races.
“It hasn’t put me off running,” he said. “There are lessons learned, but I’ll definitely be back.”
EMICS said the incident highlights the importance of rapid medical response and continued fundraising to maintain its lifesaving work.
For more information about EMICS, visit www.emics.org.uk.
