Police have detained Amritpal Singh Dhillon, who allegedly struck the 114-year-old marathon icon while driving an SUV, leading to Singh's critical injuries and subsequent death.
Driver Arrested Following Fatal Hit-and-Run of Marathon Legend Fauja Singh
Driver Arrested Following Fatal Hit-and-Run of Marathon Legend Fauja Singh
A 26-year-old man has been arrested for the tragic death of Fauja Singh, the world's presumed oldest marathon runner, in a hit-and-run incident in Punjab, India.
In a shocking turn of events, police in India have arrested Amritpal Singh Dhillon, 26, in relation to the death of Fauja Singh, famed as the world’s oldest marathon runner. The tragic incident unfolded on Monday as Singh, who had reached the remarkable age of 114, was on his daily afternoon walk in Punjab.
Reports indicate that Dhillon was speeding in his SUV when he struck Singh, who sadly succumbed to his injuries shortly after being rushed to the hospital. Eyewitness accounts suggest that the accident occurred near Singh's birthplace in Beas Pind, close to Jalandhar city, while he was crossing the street.
The suspected vehicle involved in the incident, a white-colored SUV, has already been recovered by law enforcement. According to police complaints, had the driver taken immediate action to transport Singh to medical help, his life could potentially have been saved.
Fauja Singh became a global symbol of inspiration, having broken records by completing marathons as he aged, with his first race occurring at the age of 89. Between 2000 and 2013, he successfully ran nine full marathons, impressively breaking the age barriers for marathon runners.
Despite his noteworthy achievements, Guinness World Records faced challenges in acknowledging him as the oldest marathoner due to a lack of official documentation like a birth certificate from the year 1911, even though Singh held a British passport with a birth date of April 1, 1911, and received a congratulatory letter from Queen Elizabeth II on his centenary.
Fauja Singh’s journey was marked by resilience; from overcoming childhood teasing due to physical weakness to transcending personal tragedies including the death of his wife and younger son. After relocating to London in the early 1990s, he found solace and motivation through running, leading him to meet his coach Harmander Singh, who played a significant role in his marathon success.
Singh caught the eye of major brands, notably featuring in Adidas's 2004 ‘Impossible is Nothing’ campaign alongside other legendary athletes. His community in London, Sikhs In The City, plans to host events celebrating his remarkable legacy and athletic accomplishments.
Fauja Singh's life story is not only one of athletic triumph but of enduring spirit amidst life's adversities.
