LOS ANGELES (CNS) — A 46-year-old woman who collapsed at the finish line of the Los Angeles Marathon has died, the race's first death since 2007, organizers announced Tuesday.
Trisha Paddock of Rancho Palos Verdes was running in the 13.1-mile Charity Challenge where all participants were fundraising for one of the race's official charities.
Los Angeles Fire Department personnel "came in contact" with Paddock at 12:10 p.m. Sunday after she had "a medical complaint that escalated to a witnessed cardiac arrest," LAFD Capt. Erik Scott said Sunday.
"Medical aid was quickly provided by over a dozen personnel, including LAFD Cycle Teams, and the patient was rapidly treated and transported to a local hospital," Scott added.
Dan Combs, who set up a GoFundMe page for the Paddock family following Trisha's collapse, said she died Sunday night.
"Thank you so much for your donations. We are saddened to report that Trisha passed away last night," Combs said Monday, urgin all who arrived at the donation page to sign up to assist the family with meals as they continue to go through the grieving process. "Please continue to contribute to this wonderful family."
Trisha was raising funds for the Asian American Drug Abuse Program which provides Asian Pacific Islanders and other under-served communities with substance abuse services throughout Los Angeles County, with programs and services provided to all individuals regardless of race or ethnicity.
The GoFundMe pages set up to support the Paddock family with medical bills and other critical expenses has so far raised more than $42,000 as of Tuesday night, including $1,000 from the marathon.
In an update Tuesday, Combs said Trisha's husband, Ryan, was incredibly thankful for the generosity of all who had donated.
"Ryan mentioned to us that he feels uncomfortable being on the receiving end of such generosity. He also said that he felt truly grateful for the outpouring of love and support to his family," Combs said.
"Thank you as well to Cindy Lasky for organizing the meal train and for those who signed up!"
In a statement shared on Facebook, L.A. Marathon organizers said the loss is devastating.
"We would like to express our gratitude and appreciation to all the first responders, paramedics, and medical personnel who were immediately on the scene," organizers wrote.
"We are in touch with Trisha's family and are supporting them through this very difficult time. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers."
Trisha's death is the first related to the marathon since 2007 when a 50-year-old man participating in the L.A. Bike Tour held in conjunction with the marathon died after going into apparent cardiac arrest, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
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