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LYNN NEWS |
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Tuesday, 30th May 2006. |
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Tragedy at run |
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A fit and healthy 25-year-old, who had not taken a day off sick in more than six years, died after completing Lynn's first ever 10km race on Sunday. |
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Tragedy struck when Duncan Gooderson, of Ringstead, became seriously ill within minutes of completing the Bespak Great East Anglia Run in front of thousands of spectators cheering competitors as they finished in The Walks. |
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Paramedics quickly surrounded him but he died later at Lynn's Queen Elizabeth Hospital. |
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Mr Gooderson, a keen footballer and a good runner, crossed the line in a fast 42 minutes and 30 seconds – crossing the finish line in 152nd place out of 1,577 runners. |
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Mr Gooderson, who lived with his mum Joan, dad Maurice and brother Justin, was fit and healthy, had raced previously and was in training for GEAR. |
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Yesterday a family statement said: "He lived for sport; he played football each week for Smithdon and was a keen supporter of Liverpool. He had been training for the race, he ran six miles twice a week and recently ran the Sandingham 10km in 44 minutes. |
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"He was looking forward to the race so much. He was always happy. He loved sport and his work. We are finding it hard to come to terms with our loss." |
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The family added their thanks to the emergency services and the staff at QEH. |
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He played football with Smithdon High School's ex-pupils club in Hunstanton and had worked for the past six-and-a-half years for Heacham building firm Thomas Construction. |
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Yesterday, owner Aubrey Thomas described him as "part of the family". |
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"Duncan played a key role in our family business. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten. |
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"He was not just an employee but part of our family life – it's like losing a son. No one can ever replace him. |
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"We had a family wedding the day before – my daughter got married. He was a key part of that, but he never had a drink because he was in training and took it seriously." |
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He also said Mr Gooderson had not had one day off sick in the time he had worked for him. |
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Speaking yesterday, race director Mr Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle said: "After finishing the run and crossing the finishing line he was obviously in distress. The doctor and paramedics were called very quickly and spent a long time trying to resuscitate him. |
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"It's an awful tragedy, and I feel desperately upset about it. My condolences go out to the family." |
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