Teamwork spares life of 68-year-old runner

During the running of this week’s Summer Shotgun Race hosted by the City of Palm Coast, Historic City News learned that five runners had to take a break from the competition after a fellow runner collapsed in cardiac arrest.

Runners Maria Pugliese, 41, Carrie Meng, 34, and Amy Coopersmith, 38, and Ray Knowles, 35, all of Palm Coast, along with Detective Roger Spires, 28, of the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office were participating in the four mile run at Palm Harbor Golf Club.

After the race began, these five runners were surprised when a 68-year-old man collapsed on the route. He was described as unconscious and unresponsive. The group immediately began CPR, trading off applications, until emergency medical services arrived.

The victim regained consciousness and was transported to Florida Hospital Flagler.

At the last report, he was expected to recover from the episode.

“These runners acted quickly and were able to save a life,” said Flagler County Sheriff Donald W. Fleming. “I congratulate them all.”