Lowell Runners Stop Mid-Race To Help Family In Distress
LOWELL (CBS) – A team of runners competing in the Baystate Half Marathon stopped the race to help a family in distress.
Team Babsie was four miles into the course, running with Beth Craig's 71-year-old mother with multiple sclerosis in a jogger, when they saw something they couldn't ignore.
"We heard help, I reached in and grabbed my phone and I was immediately walking over, calling 911. My teammates, they just came, too," said Craig.
A young man was outside of a vehicle, upset.
"He was screaming and running and flaring his hands," said Craig.
His father was having a seizure behind the wheel on busy Pawtucket Boulevard. Without hesitation, the team crossed the road.
"Once I got it into park, his foot actually slipped onto the gas and actually started revving the engine. I was able to get his foot off the gas pedal," said Pam Olsen.
The teammates stayed with the family until help arrived.
"It was a moment that sort of transcended the race. It sort of took it to another level," said Deborah Belanger.
In the end, the team finished the race, 20 minutes later than expected.
"The big picture is that's where we needed to be and nobody minded, nobody hesitated. We finished. My mom actually came in first in her age category!" said Craig.
Team Babsie sent a gift to the hospital, but would love to meet the family.
