In a heartbreaking turn of events, police in India's Punjab region have arrested Amritpal Singh Dhillon, the driver who was allegedly behind the wheel of an SUV that struck Fauja Singh, the world's oldest marathon runner, resulting in his death. The incident occurred on Monday while Singh, aged 114, was out for a walk in his native region.
Fauja Singh, celebrated for setting marathon records across various age categories after beginning his running journey at the age of 89, was critically injured in the collision and succumbed shortly after arriving at a local hospital. The hit-and-run transpired near Beas Pind, Singh’s birthplace not far from Jalandhar city, as reports indicate he was crossing a road when he was struck. Witnesses attempted to rush him to medical aid, but his injuries were severe.
The police have since recovered the white SUV implicated in the tragic incident. Additionally, reports suggest that Singh's chance of survival could have improved if the young driver had taken immediate action to transport him to the hospital instead of fleeing the scene.
Singh's reputation as a marathon icon was solidified in 2011 when he became the first centenarian to complete a full marathon in Toronto. He was also a torchbearer in the 2012 London Olympics. Despite his record-breaking feats, Guinness World Records was unable to officially acknowledge him as the oldest marathon runner due to a lack of formal birth documentation from 1911, though Singh had a British passport confirming his birthday as April 1, 1911.
Having endured profound personal loss throughout his life, including the passing of his wife and son, Singh found solace in running after moving to London, where he was mentored by fellow runners at a local gurdwara. His inspiring journey caught global attention in 2004 when he featured in an Adidas advertisement campaign, "Impossible is Nothing," alongside legendary figures like Muhammad Ali.
In remembrance of their beloved coach and compatriot, Singh’s running club, Sikhs In The City, plans to honor his legacy with special events in Ilford, East London, where he had resided since 1992. Singh’s life story remains a powerful testament to resilience and achievement against the odds.
Fauja Singh, celebrated for setting marathon records across various age categories after beginning his running journey at the age of 89, was critically injured in the collision and succumbed shortly after arriving at a local hospital. The hit-and-run transpired near Beas Pind, Singh’s birthplace not far from Jalandhar city, as reports indicate he was crossing a road when he was struck. Witnesses attempted to rush him to medical aid, but his injuries were severe.
The police have since recovered the white SUV implicated in the tragic incident. Additionally, reports suggest that Singh's chance of survival could have improved if the young driver had taken immediate action to transport him to the hospital instead of fleeing the scene.
Singh's reputation as a marathon icon was solidified in 2011 when he became the first centenarian to complete a full marathon in Toronto. He was also a torchbearer in the 2012 London Olympics. Despite his record-breaking feats, Guinness World Records was unable to officially acknowledge him as the oldest marathon runner due to a lack of formal birth documentation from 1911, though Singh had a British passport confirming his birthday as April 1, 1911.
Having endured profound personal loss throughout his life, including the passing of his wife and son, Singh found solace in running after moving to London, where he was mentored by fellow runners at a local gurdwara. His inspiring journey caught global attention in 2004 when he featured in an Adidas advertisement campaign, "Impossible is Nothing," alongside legendary figures like Muhammad Ali.
In remembrance of their beloved coach and compatriot, Singh’s running club, Sikhs In The City, plans to honor his legacy with special events in Ilford, East London, where he had resided since 1992. Singh’s life story remains a powerful testament to resilience and achievement against the odds.
