"Dad, it hurts so much": The tragedy of a 24-year-old promising athlete who was perfectly healthy until suddenly... "I simply cannot believe it" — even family members break down in tears

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

A tragic incident occurred in which a 24-year-old former college field hockey prospect, who had challenged herself to complete a full marathon to honor her late grandfather and support Parkinson's disease patients, collapsed and died with just 3.5 km remaining before the finish line. It is a heartbreaking story of a young woman who ran to the very end, leaving a final text message to her father despite suffering from severe muscle breakdown.

U.S. media outlet Fox News recently reported that "24-year-old Rachel Afa collapsed and ultimately died during the New York Marathon held on the 1st due to complications from a rare muscle disease." The report added, "She lost consciousness at a point just 3.5 km before the finish line and was transported to a hospital, but she passed away after medical staff fought for her life for more than six hours."

According to the deceased's father, Steve Afa, Rachel, who had been active as a Division I field hockey player during her college years, had always maintained perfect health and physical condition. On the day of the race, her father Steve and mother Michelle Afa came to the scene in person to cheer for their daughter. In a video captured by her mother, Rachel was seen running with a beaming smile until approximately the 22.5 km mark.

Particularly heartbreaking was the revelation that the deceased had sent a desperate text message to her father complaining of pain just before collapsing. Upon reaching approximately the 29th km mark, Rachel sent a brief text saying "Ouch" to her father, expressing her pain. She then ran another 1.6 km and, at approximately the 30.5 km mark, sent consecutive texts to her father that were close to screams, saying "It hurts, it hurts."

At approximately the 37th km mark, her father sent a text encouraging his daughter, saying, "This is the final stretch," but Rachel was ultimately unable to reply. She finally lost consciousness and collapsed on the ground at approximately the 38.6 km mark, just 3.5 km before the finish line.

A bystander at the scene immediately performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and race medical staff continued emergency treatment using a defibrillator. Rachel was urgently transported to Mount Sinai Medical Center, where medical staff fought for her life for more than six hours, but she ultimately passed away. Her father Steve broke down in tears, saying, "I simply cannot understand or accept this."

Rachel, who had recently begun an MBA program at Charleston Southern University, took on this marathon challenge to honor her grandfather, who had been her childhood role model and taught her the joy of sports, after he passed away in 2022 following a battle with Parkinson's disease. The goal was to raise funds for Parkinson's disease research. It is reported that donations made in solidarity with the deceased's noble intention exceeded $55,000 (approximately 76 million won).

New York Road Runners, the organizer of the event, issued an official statement saying, "We are deeply saddened by the news of a participant's death following yesterday's race. We offer our sincere condolences to the bereaved family, friends, and the entire running community." According to the organizers, this is the first time since 2024 that a participant has died due to a medical incident at the New York Marathon.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original