George, 22, and his 15-year-old brother, Will, embarked on a 10-kilometer run in the woods near their Lincolnshire home in early July.
With the temperature around 20°C, their mother, Sarah Coen, believed both sons were fit and healthy, especially after recently returning from 40°C heat in Egypt.
However, over halfway through the run, Will became disoriented and confused. He felt dizzy but didn't think he was about to collapse.
Suddenly, Will fell to the ground, unconscious. George immediately called home, urging his mother to contact emergency services.
Coen described it as the most terrifying moment of her life. Not being with her sons, she struggled to answer the operator's questions about Will's condition and location.
George used a location app on his phone to provide accurate coordinates. While an air ambulance was dispatched, Will required ventilation and was transported to Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham by road ambulance.
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15-year-old Will suffered multiple organ failure from heatstroke after running in the heat. Photo: Daily Mail |
15-year-old Will suffered multiple organ failure from heatstroke after running in the heat. Photo: Daily Mail
Doctors diagnosed Will with liver and kidney failure due to heatstroke brought on by strenuous exercise in warm weather. Heatstroke occurs when the body can no longer regulate its temperature, causing internal temperatures to rise above 40°C and damaging organs.
Will was then transferred to Birmingham Children's Hospital in preparation for a potential liver transplant. "I couldn't believe it was happening," Coen said.
Despite drinking 1.5 liters of water during the run, Will was severely dehydrated, having recently suffered a stomach bug. Doctors advised that his liver might recover on its own or require a transplant. Fortunately, Will's liver recovered, and the family was discharged after 4 days.
Now fully recovered, Will wants to warn others, especially during summer, to listen to their bodies and stop exercising if they experience any unusual symptoms.
According to the National Health Service (NHS), warning signs of heat exhaustion include: fatigue, high temperature, excessive sweating, thirst, weakness, rapid breathing, rapid heartbeat, headache, nausea, pale and clammy skin, and cramps in the arms and legs.
Children under 18 may become irritable. If someone displays these symptoms, help them cool down and provide fluids.
Heat exhaustion is usually not serious if the person cools down within 30 minutes. However, if they don't improve after 30 minutes or their condition worsens, call 999 immediately as it could have developed into heatstroke.
Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition caused by the body overheating, leading to organ damage. Signs include: very high temperature, hot but dry skin, rapid heartbeat and breathing, difficulty breathing, confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
The NHS warns that changes in skin color due to heatstroke can be harder to spot in people with brown or black skin.
Last year, there were 1,311 heat-related deaths during four heatwaves in England. People over 75 were the most vulnerable. This month, the NHS reported a 198% increase in visits to its heat exhaustion advice page as temperatures soared across England.
Thuc Linh (Daily Mail)
