Commonwealth Games boss defends organisers as viewers question why it took so long for medical help

FAMILY and friends of marathon runner Callum Hawkins are heartbroken and angry after watching him collapse and remain without help. Meanwhile, the Games boss has slammed spectators who took photos and video of the stricken Scotsman.

WHY didn’t anyone help Scottish marathon runner Callum Hawkins as he lay distressed on the Sundale Bridge?

That is the question angry Commonwealth Games viewers are demanding be answered after the horror finish to today’s marathon.

And Gold Coast Commonwealth Games boss Mark Peters has slammed spectators who took photos and video of the stricken Scottish runner after he collapsed on the road.

Mr Peters said he was ‘distressed’ at seeing Hawkins collapse on the bridge at Southport near the finish line.

He said Hawkins was recovering in Gold Coast University Hospital but Team Scotland had “no major concerns for his wellbeing at this stage”.

In brutal conditions, Hawkins began to look wobbly on his feet just after the 39km mark.

Viewers felt medics should have intervened sooner

Tweet from Scottish distance runner and friend Andrew Butchart.

Still running, he took his hat off and threw it into the crowd before completely losing control of his body and crashing to the grass on the side of the road.

His family and friends have said they were heartbroken as they watched him lie without help for several minutes.

“SOMEONE F*****G HELP HIM!!!” Tweeted fellow Scottish distance runner and friend Andrew Butchart.

Callum’s brother Derek thanked people for their messages of support.

“Can’t describe how upsetting and distressing it was to watch but just glad he’s alright,” he Tweeted.

For the next 800 metres, Hawkins continued to crash into the railing but somehow remained on his feet.

“At what point do you think that medical should actually stand in, because it is just a sport, and stop him from running? Tamsyn Lewis asked in commentary as it became clear the Scot was in serious trouble.

CALLUM HAWKINS UPDATE: We are very pleased to report that Callum is sitting up and speaking with his Dad and Team Scotland medical staff. He is undergoing further tests as a precaution and we all wish him a speedy recovery.
END

— Team Scotland (@Team_Scotland) April 15, 2018

CALLUM HAWKINS UPDATE: We are very pleased to report that Callum is sitting up and speaking with his Dad and Team Scotland medical staff. He is undergoing further tests as a precaution and we all wish him a speedy recovery.
END

— Team Scotland (@Team_Scotland) April 15, 2018

Hawkins goes down on the bridge as Aussie Michael Shelley runs past.

Ashamed at the treatment of Callum Hawkins today and the lack of proper media personnel on that marathon route, poor effort from the Gold Coast organisers, get well soon Callum

— Sir Evan Parsons (@Butterfield6) April 15, 2018

#CommonwealthGames2018 where was the medical support for Callum Hawkins?????????very very bad

— Paul snowdon (@Paulsnowdon10) April 15, 2018

I can tell you that Callum Hawkins was left lying on the roadside for what seemed like an age before someone helped him. It was about 15 mins! Totally unacceptable. The health and wellbeing of athletes must be a top priority. Hope Callum Hawkins is ok.

— ClaireT (@Clairetyuk) April 15, 2018

Just watched the footage of #CallumHawkins... Shocking. Just bloody horrific. And like everyone else is asking, I'm asking too - where the hell were the medics? That could have been a matter of life or death. Shameful! #GC2018 @CommGamesAUS

— Marin Rymer (@MarinRymer) April 15, 2018

Just shocking viewing seeing Callum Hawkins go down like that without any medical attention while Aussie fans find it appropriate to take photos #gc2018marathon

— Sean Cadd (@sean_cadd) April 15, 2018

Just a few seconds later Hawkins was down again and this time didn’t get back up.

From the moment Hawkins went down on the bridge, it took almost two minutes for an official to approach him.

From his initial fall to the grass, it was around four minutes.

Two time Commonwealth Games silver medal winner Dave Culbert agreed the lack of assistance was an issue.

“Now we need to see someone out there. We need someone to at least ask him, ‘Callum, would you like us to take you off the course?’, he said.

BBC commentator Steve Cram said the situation was “a disgrace”.

“I’m just concerned for his welfare,” he told the BBC. “He hit his head on the barrier. I’m sorry if you’re watching this at home, it’s really distressing. He’s going to hurt himself and there’s nobody anywhere near.

Callum Hawkins of Scotland gives the thumbs up to receive medical treatment

“We should have some more medical attention. This is a guy in real distress and someone needs to recognise it for his health at this point.

“Where on earth is the help? You cannot just wait at the finish line. They’ve got radios. And finally somebody arrives. I think it’s disgraceful.”

Responding to the outrage about the long delay in medical staff reaching Hawkins, Mr Peters said medicos were posted at 500m intervals in the final stages of the course.

“In competition, there are strict rules around accepting medical help and subsequent disqualification,” the Games boss said.

“After Callum Hawkins collapsed on the bridge medical staff provided treatment when requested.

“GOLDOC has put in place a wide range of measures to ensure athlete welfare and the response of medical staff this morning was within agreed response guidelines and timeframes.

“I was also concerned about the behaviour of a small number of bystanders who chose to take images. This is not in keeping with the spirit of GC2018.”

Southport father and daughter Rodney and Annalise West tried to help the 25-year-old but he wouldn’t let anyone touch him.

Callum Hawkins of Scotland as he collapses after being in the lead of the Men's Marathon

“He crawled around on the ground for two or three minutes,” Mr West said.

Mr West asked the volunteers to move their umbrella to shade the struggling athlete.

“They had to clear it with officials to move it off the bridge and over the runner,” he said.

He said he was surprised it took so long for officials to come to the aid of Hawkins considering he was leading the race.

Mr Peters earlier defended organisers and said he was seeking more facts on the incident but ‘you can’t have medical people on every kilometre of the road ... they (medical staff) are professionally positioned.”

“Obviously the health of the athlete is absolutely prime,” he said.

“Sometimes medial people arrive too and the athlete has to decide whether they want to go on or not. I understand that was part of the discussion (about Hawkins) at a point in time.

“Incredibly athletes in whatever state they are want to finish, and we’ve seen that in marathons. Certainly, there’s no reason why there would be deliberate (medical) delays, and our thoughts are with the athlete.”

Originally published as Commonwealth Games boss defends organisers as viewers question why it took so long for medical help