Fauja Singh, known globally as the ‘world’s oldest marathon runner’, has died in an alleged hit-and-run incident, with police confirming they’ve arrested a man in connection with his death.
On Monday (July 14), 114-year-old Singh was critically injured by a speeding SUV near his birth village of Beas Pind, close to Jalandhar city in the north Indian state of Punjab.
Singh, who picked up running when he turned 89, was crossing the road when he was struck by a vehicle and sustained critical injuries, according to police in the country.
After the vehicle struck the runner, its driver sped off, according to local media reports.
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It’s understood that if the alleged perpetrator had immediately taken Singh to hospital, he may have survived. Instead, it’s believed the nine-time marathon finisher was delivered to a nearby medical facility by locals.
Reports stated the sportsman died in the institution as a result of severe injuries sustained in the alleged hit-and-run.
Sikhs in the City, a London-based running club and charity that Singh trained with while living in the city, confirmed the athlete’s death.
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“It is with great sadness that we can confirm our icon of humanity and powerhouse of positivity Fauja Singh has passed away in India. Aged 114 years old,” his coach Harmander Singh wrote via Facebook.
“He succumbed to injuries caused by a vehicle accident while crossing the road close to his home.”
Senior police officer Harvinder Singh Virk claimed Singh’s alleged killer was speeding in his white Toyota Fortuner at the time of the collision.
He also remarked that police arrested him after utilizing CCTV footage and ‘other leads’.
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These so-called ‘other leads’ reportedly included recovering parts of the car from the crime scene and showing them to experts.
"When we scanned the CCTV, the part recovered was missing from a Fortuner vehicle. We were then confident that the accident happened with the said vehicle,” he explained.
Virk said the SUV had since been seized and that the hit-and-run happened because the accused was ‘scared’ after hitting the 2012 Olympic torch bearer.
“He got scared after hitting Fauja Singh, and that is why he did not stop his car at the spot,” the policeman said, as per The Daily Jargon.
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Singh was born on April 1, 1911, in the once British-ruled Punjab, according to his profile on the official Olympics website.
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Following the death of his wife, Gian Kaur, Singh moved to London to live with his eldest son in 1992.
The site stated that during a visit to India, he witnessed the death of his younger son, Kuldeep, which drove him into the arms of the running community.
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In 2000, Singh completed his maiden marathon in six hours and 54 minutes at the age of 89.
This time knocked 58 minutes off the previous world’s best in the 90-plus age bracket, the Olympics website stated.
Nicknamed the Turbo Tornado, the athlete took on marathons in New York, Mumbai, Glasgow, and Toronto while raising funds for ‘various charities while promoting the Sikh culture’.
Tributes from UK-based politicians have flooded in across social media, including a message from MP Preet Kaur Gill, 52.
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“Saddened to hear about the passing of Fauja Singh. I had the honour of meeting him. A truly inspiring man. His discipline, simple living, and deep humility left a lasting mark on me,” she typed via Twitter.
“A reminder that age is just a number, but attitude is everything. Rest in power, legend.”
Ilford South MP Jas Athwal commented: “Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Sardar Fauja Singh Ji. He was legendary – a man who continued running until he was 101. He was a global Sikh icon, that inspired millions across the world.
“His spirit and legacy of resilience will run on forever. My heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends. We will miss him.”
Topics: India, World News, Sport, Crime, Police
Ella Scott