How come the organisers are yet to make a statement on this issue ? Are they trying to figure out on how to make a statement, it is learnt that the organization was poor, maybe Standard Chartered should sent the Malaysian organisers to observe the Singapore Standard Chartered Run which attracts 60,000 runners. Can the Sports Commissioner office investigate ?
Today at 13:55(27/06/2010)
I would like to share a tragic incident that happened at Standard Chartered KL Marathon today…
When i was running my final 2 km on the 10km… as i was running along the road in front of Dewan Bandaraya Kuala Lumpur, i saw a guy was sitting on the road side then soon enough he collapsed…
this incident attracted my attention as a guy(a training doctor, named Irkhan) that was trying to help him was shouting for medic..
as i was a trained EFR, i ran over to see what is happening.. (it was around 1 hour into the race for 10km runners)
i got to know that the guy (named Lim) has collapsed and was having seizure.. we tried to place him in recovery position… he was breathing very heavily and shortly and he was also biting his teeth very very hard… i was afraid that he will hurt himself (with either biting his own tongue or he closed up his airway).. so i tried to open up his jaw and tried to communicate wif him to have him relax and breath easily.. he then slowed down his breathing and taking deeper breath…
another lady (lady A) came to help and constantly monitor on his pulse… and Dr. Visva (was another participant in the run) came over to help…
Then suddenly, his pulse was gone… then we lied him flat and started on CPR procedures… we constantly check on his pulse to check whether his pulse has come back.. we did chest compression and also mouth-to-mouth breathing to Lim…
as we were doing the CPR procedures, we did not sight medic anywhere.. and we tried to shout as loud as possible for medic…
After awhile into the CPR procedures, "lady A" said that she could feel his pulse but was very weak.. then we stopped the CPR procedures to see whether he regain consciousness or not…
After i stopped the chest compression on Lim, i started shouting for medic services again with the hope that a medic services is nearby and heard us.. but unfortunately not… we only sighted 3 DBKL Officers(with big motorcycles) just stood by the road side and just stare… the did not come over to help or to check out what happened… (it was around 10 minutes that Lim collapse and had seizure)…
after a moment, Lim loose his pulse again.. we started CPR procedures again.. we still did not sight an ambulance or any EMS(Emergency Medical Services) around… after approximately 30 compression, Lim regained his pulse but was very very weak.. and yet.. there was still no ambulance or EMS sighted… and DBKL officers still stood there and did not came over to help… so I informed a passer by to run to the officers to tell them to call for an EMS soonest possible...
after we performed CPR procedures on Lim for the the third time, finally a St. John ambulance came after around 15 - 20 minutes after Lim collapsed…
we let the EMS officers to take over the CPR and First Aid… Dr. Visva asked whether do they have the AED(Automated External Defibrillator)… one of the person from the EMS said that they do not have it.. then I asked whether do they have a face mask with pump.. they also did not have it there… THEY PRACTICALLY HAVE NOTHING IN THE AMBULANCE!!!!!!!! -.-"
EMS took him and speed their way to HKL…
we were later informed that the Response time for EMS is 3 minutes but it took them almost 20 minutes to arrive… and later.. as I was reading through the Runners Guide that was provided in our running kit…
There is a statement (at page 15) that states that "Medical Assistance - Medical Aid is available every 4km and at the Finish Area. Due to runner's physical condition, Medical Officials are authorized to stop runners and remove their timing chip"…
every 4KM MY ROYAL ASS.. I did not see any first aider, ambulance or any sort of medical officials along my 10km route… and if 4km was true.. it definitely will not take them SO LONG to arrive...
I got a call from Dr. Visva a moment ago.. he went to HKL to check out the condition of Lim and he informed me that Lim have passed away on his arrival to the hospital… T__T
Lim is only into his 20's and was running the 10KM distance…
That's the sorry state of affairs in our EMS and sports organiser's mindset...if there's no trouble who bothers to care about...we write it down about we provide the service but in reality there's no such services given as expected.
ReplyDeleteIt won't happen...as it haven't happened yet!?
If the any of the organiser of SC KLIM or even the emergency provider is reading this...please upgrade your services...you are a shame to the services you provided. If the response time is 3 minutes...DO IT in lesser time. Why called yourselves EMS when u are even slower than a snail?
Mr Jai Ho,
ReplyDeleteBloggers have to be responsible. To be able to also be investigative in ensuring that what you write is indeed correct.
I am a runner who participated in the run. I have seen all these postings on the Facebook and blogs and I truly feel that the organisers are being taken to the cleaners in a very unfair manner.
Are you certain that what was reported by these individuals is accurate? Are you aware that a statement has been issued? That the statement was issued after a meeting convened with all the paramedics and everyone involved in the incident providing their accounts.
Are you also aware that the Hospital KL has logged the time when the ambulance arrived. As such there is a way to track the timing accurately if you choose to be objective and correct.
Are you also aware that the Standard Chartered Singapore Run has had its problems in its earlier days? And do you know these problems? Well let me enlighten you that I know because I have been running in that event for the last 10 years.
The poing about the AED is something I too am disappointed about but I have just learnt this morning that the Singapore event also has limited ambulances that carry the AED - not all. So again your facts are inaccurate.
And this year's run for my friends and families has been a good experience. We feel that the organisers have worked hard and responded to criticisms of last year, amongst which was mine.
In every marathon globally, there are issues. Even the NY Marathon or the London Marathon. Are you aware that someone dies almost every year in these events. So does that make the organisers ill equipped or irresponsible.
I ensure that my family and I are medically cleared to run. So must be the onus on all the people who sign up for any of these kind of events.
I find your blog biased and in accurate. The days of 'cut and paste' should not be the case if you want to be a blogger who makes a difference in society.
Be factual. Be accurate. Be responsible. Just because you can be an armchair media critic does not allow you to criticise. Your place in society is one which begs your responsibility. So whilst you seek responsibility amongst your breathrens and the organisers, please show some on your own too.
Events such as these bring people together in a harmonious manner. You should be proud of it. Come join the event. Be part of it. And then criticise if you find something wrong. And be constructive. Not destructive.
The organisers should be praised for the improvements they have made. Yes there are a few areas they need to improve and this includes equipment in the Ambulances but have they done a good job and exercised duty of care. Now lets not let Lim's passing be in vain. Lets come together and show strength.
For you, please some responsibility will help. And hopefully your response will not be that I perhaps work for the Organising Committee because that would show poor character and an untruth.
Yours sincerely,
Jack Philip Daws
I am sorry to the late Mr. Lim's family, there is negligence involved and I blame the organisers. Standard Chartered Bank the sponsors are also to be partially blamed.
ReplyDeleteSuch sporting event are not within the purview of the Sports commissioner's office duties. I hope the organisrs can come up and give an explanation and not just keep quite. Alternatively, Standard Chartered must explain.
Jack Philip Daws thanks for dropping by. You have your right to explain and I have published your comments.
ReplyDeleteRyan Shay collapsed and died about 5.5 miles into the men's Olympic trials in 2007 NY run
Ryan Hall won the trials, earning him a place on the team headed to Beijing in 2008.
But do you know the kind of support that Ryan had before he died. Less then 7 minutes after he collapsed he was taken to the NYC Hospital not after 20 minutes! Are we forgetting something here... A man died ! period
If the letter that i received from a participant does not contain any truth then I will make an apology but I don't think so I will do that, because a well known journalist is going to town with what actually happen. So i guess you look out for it.
I worked for Standard Chartered from 2000-2004 based at the CEO office, indeed this is a great event and I am all out for this event. Its great for the country and runners, but when an innocent life is gone because no proper care is given, I don't think I can accept that. Would you have sat down and watched if this thing would have happen to one of your family members? I am very sure you would have sued the organisers?
So lets not hide behind "RESPONSIBILITY" .
Have a great day.
Deepest condolences to Lim’s family. Very tragic indeed. Rest in Peace !
ReplyDeleteAll Race organizers should & must ensure highest quality of emergency aids are made available. There were medical personnel at
all the designated spots for the 21km route. These personnel should be equipment with walkie-talkie for faster request of assistance. Ambulances should be located at every 5km/10km intervals along all category routes.
condolences to his family..
ReplyDeleteim a regular volunteer at runs in malaysia n i have to say from my observations, the medical personnel available is almost useless in most runs in msia. to be honest, i have never seen any of them help a runner when he/she is injured. most injuries are always taken care of by the runner themselves or fellow kind runners who help the injured ones. i really wish this matter is taken seriously not only by the organizers but also the sports ministry and make sure that all medical personnel are well trained.
To Mr. Jack Philip Daws
ReplyDeleteAre you trying to imply that these honorable people who tried to safe a life are not telling the truth.
And why are you pre-qualifying your self even before Jaiho's could reply to your comments - " And hopefully your response will not be that I perhaps work for the Organising Committee because that would show poor character and an untruth".
Well, It looks like you are.