Police in India have arrested a man linked to the death of Faoutza Singh, the world’s oldest marathon runner, who died in a hit-and-run accident.
According to authorities, defendant Amritpal Singh Dillon was allegedly driving an SUV at high speed when he struck the British runner. Singh was seriously injured and breathed his last shortly after being taken to the hospital.
According to the BBC, the accident occurred on Monday in Punjab state, in northern India, as Singh was taking his afternoon walk near his native village of Biaja Pind, near the town of Jalandhar. Local media quoting police said the 26-year-old driver could have saved the marathon runner if he had taken him immediately to the hospital. The vehicle, a white SUV, has already been located and seized by authorities.
Fauja Singh was a global inspirational symbol, breaking every stereotype around age. He started running at the age of 89 and managed to finish nine full marathons between 2000 and 2013, when he retired. In 2011 he reportedly became the first person over 100 to complete a marathon in Toronto, and in 2012, he carried the Olympic flame to London.
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