Tragedy in marathon Tel Aviv: 37 year old died, 12 were seriously injured

Tragedy during the marathon Tel Aviv this morning (Friday), which opened with a heat wave: one participant in his 30's died and 12 other participants were seriously injured during the race around the city, after they were exhausted.

MDA teams provided care to 50 marathon runners, who were mostly mildly affected. The casualties suffer primarily from heatstroke, dehydration and mild bruises.

Four seriously injured were anesthetized and ventilated at a MDA clinic tent set up on the ground - and evacuated for treatment in hospital.

Competition organizers decided to postpone the this week's full marathon match (42 kilometers run), leaving only half-marathon runs and a distance of 10 miles, due to the heat wave, but the decision has not prevented the disaster.

Many roads were blocked in Tel Aviv for the marathon for, along the track, between the hours of 4:00 AM and 10:30 AM.

MDA spokesman, Zaki Heller summarized the activities of MDA in the half marathon, and said that large forces were deployed to MDA in time with the paramedics on motorcycles, ambulances, mobile intensive care units, feet units of medics and paramedics and an intensive clinic tent under full cooperation with Ichilov hospital, including six doctors and 4 nurses.

Rescue teams provided medical care to approximately 80 participants in the marathon, including a man of about 37 with heat stroke whom after lengthy resuscitation was pronounced dead. 12 were defined in a difficult situation in the field, including 3 on respirators, the rest in mild-moderate condition.
34 of the patients were evacuated to hospital for further treatment according to the following breakdown: 16 Ichilov Hospital, Tel Hashomer 7, Wolfson 7, Beilinson 2, Dana 1, and Schneider 1. Youngest victim in mild condition: a boy of about 10.

Casualties suffered heat stroke, fainting, dehydration and mild bruises. Treatment was completed and casualties were evacuated to hospitals. MDA marathon participants recommend: be shaded and under air-conditioned places, stay under complete rest and avoid exercise, drink plenty of sweetened fluids. Under any medical need contact MDA emergency line 101.

'בחדרי' גם ברשתות החברתיות - הצטרפו!