A young man who died while taking part in a half-marathon in Glasgow at the weekend has been named as Aaron Jordan Johnston. The 24-year-old from from County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland reportedly collapsed in Glasgow Green after becoming unwell.
Emergency services were called to the scene at around 11.15am on Sunday February 2 as shocked runners looked on near the finish line. Aaron was rushed to Glasgow Royal Infirmary but died a short time after arriving.
The Scottish Ambulance Service said an ambulance, a critical care paramedic and a rapid response unit were all sent to the scene. The event called the Winter Warmer which is ran by Fix Events included 5k, 10k and a half marathon competition.
Aaron’s family paid tribute to young man on social media. The family run Ashwood Garden Centre in Enniskillen and said the business would be closed for the foreseeable.
“We are completely heartbroken that our precious Aaron Johnston, Son of Niall and Joy and brother to Hayley, Adam and Jessica died suddenly yesterday,” they said.
“Words cannot describe what we are going through now. The Garden Centre and Coffee shop will be closed until further notice.”
The post was quickly flooded with messages of support from friends and family, with one person writing: “My heart breaks for you all. Aaron was full of life and divilment great cub he was.”
Another person added: “I’m just heartbroken for you all Niall, Joy and family. I have lovely fond memories of Aaron going through his school days and had great craic with the boys. I’m just devastated and so saddened to hear this news. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Taken far too soon.”
While a third person said: “So sorry for your loss, I remember Aaron fondly when he was in Nursery, A few little characters really stick with you. Thoughts & Prayers to you all.”
Some who tragically witnessed the incident were left in shock and raised concerns over the availabilty of medical trained personnel at the event. An eyewitness recalled: “My sister called the ambulance for this young man and we’ve not stopped thinking of him. Devastated for his family.
A statement from the organisers said: “I can confirm he was a participant at our event and that he very tragically passed away. Our thoughts go out to all his family and friends.
“We had our private medical company onsite and attending the incident immediately.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Emergency services attended following a report of a 24-year-old man having taken unwell at Glasgow Green around 11.15am on Sunday, 2 February 2025.
“The man was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary where he died a short time later. There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
An SAS spokesperson said: “We received a call on Sunday at 11:05 hours to attend an incident at Glasgow Green. We dispatched one ambulance, a critical care paramedic and a rapid response unit to the scene. We transported one patient to Glasgow Royal Infirmary.”
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