Iceland supermarket boss thanks medics for saving his life after collapsing during London Marathon
SUPERMARKET boss Richard Walker has thanked medics for saving his life after he collapsed running the London Marathon.
The executive director of the Iceland chain was less than two miles from the finish line in St James’s Park when he fell unconscious.
His body temperature had hit a dangerous 42C (107F) and was rising due to hyperthermic shock.
He woke up around half an hour later covered in ice.
Mr Walker, 43, later posted on Instagram: “Yesterday, St John Ambulance saved my life.
“I can’t thank them enough. They were the true heroes of the day and I owe them my life.”
St John Ambulance Service replied on X/Twitter: “We hope that you’re recovering well Richard. Thank you so much for your kind words for our hardworking volunteers!”
The businessman, son of Iceland founder Malcolm Walker, blamed “Everest arrogance” for not training enough and pushing “way too hard” on Sunday.
Mr Walker OBE, worth an estimated £215million in 2015, was running his first ever London Marathon.
He and colleague Simon Felstead raised £10,963 for Alzheimer’s Research UK — a “fantastic charity”.