Mattia Sella, 35, was thought to be in prime fitness when he suddenly collapsed and died aged just 35 after finishing a five-mile race in Italy’s Vicenza province
A 35-year-old runner collapsed and died just moments after crossing the finish line of a five-mile race.
Mattia Sella was seen leaning against a barrier, seemingly to catch his breath, shortly after 9pm on Wednesday. Moments later, he fell unconscious.
Witnesses thought he had fainted from exhaustion or suffered a drop in blood sugar. But it quickly became clear the situation was far more serious. It comes after a man died after his wife ran him over in a car park in a ‘tragic accident‘.
Mattia was found unresponsive and not breathing by on-site medics and volunteers who rushed to his aid. They immediately began resuscitation attempts and were joined minutes later by paramedics from a nearby hospital.
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Despite about 40 minutes of CPR, Mattia’s heart never restarted. He is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest.
The tragedy occurred during the 11th edition of the CorrinConca annual fun run in Thiene, in Italy’s Vicenza province.
It happened in front of numerous witnesses, including Mattia’s partner, who was left in shock.
His mother and brother arrived shortly after receiving the devastating news.
Mattia did not appear to have any known health issues.
Thiene mayor Giampi Michelusi said: “I remember him as a good lad, polite and kind. It’s truly a terrible tragedy.”
It comes just months after a tragic turn of events unfolded at the Movistar Madrid Half Marathon, where a 35-year-old man died of cardiac arrest. Another young participant, aged 20, also suffered a cardiac arrest.
The older runner was reportedly just 500 metres from completing the half marathon on Paseo de Recoletos when he collapsed. Spanish media sources referred to information from Emergencies Madrid, which said the man was transferred to La Paz hospital “without a pulse.”
At the scene, a Samur-Proteccioon Civil nurse at Cibeles tried in vain to resuscitate the man. The half marathon’s organisers have extended their “deepest condolences” while refraining from releasing further information about the deceased.
It’s understood he was later pronounced dead despite efforts to save him. The younger runner received immediate attention on Paseo de Recoletos from a doctor spectator and two security personnel. After successful resuscitation at the scene, he was admitted to the intensive care unit at Hospital Cliinico.