An Afghanistan war veteran who collapsed during the London Marathon on Sunday has died.

Capt David Seath, 31, a fire support team commander in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery who was running to raise money for wounded soldiers, had a suspected cardiac arrest three miles short of the finish line.

Seath, who had hoped to raise £250 for Help for Heroes, surpassed his target and raised nearly £700 before the race. His friends said they wanted to “complete what he started” in finishing the marathon course for him and continuing to raise money for his charity.

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Seath was taken to hospital by the London ambulance service after collapsing during the 26.2-mile race, but later died. He said he was running for the UK military charity because “the forces community need our help and continued support”.

His mother, Libby, said: “David has achieved more in 31 years than most people do in 70. He lived his life on the edge and to the full. He was running to raise money for Help for Heroes, a cause which was very important to him.”

Lt Col Jon Cresswell, his commanding officer, said: “The regiment was devastated to learn of the tragic loss of Capt Dave Seath during 2016’s London Marathon. Dave was an outstanding commando officer, a natural leader and a true gentleman. He was my assistant adjutant and so I knew him very well. He served on operations in Helmand with 19th Regiment Royal Artillery before joining the Commando Gunners and earning his green beret.

“Witty, charming and polished, Dave was a fabulous host and stylish performer. As such, he was the obvious choice to lead the Blue Peter Ten Tors team last year. Selected to train the future officers of the Afghan national army later this year in the rank of major, Dave had a great career ahead of him.

“The thoughts of the regiment are with [his partner] Gabby and Dave’s family and friends at this tragic time. We have lost one of the great characters of our regiment and take strength from the memory of his example and leadership.”

A London Marathon spokesman said the organisation “would like to express sincere condolences to David’s family and friends”, adding that the exact cause of his death would be established by medical examination.



A JustGiving page created by Capt James Walker-McClimens, an army officer and close friend of Seath, reads: “He was three miles short of the finish line and collapsed on Upper Thames Street. His friends and colleagues are planning to complete what he started, in his honour. We will walk as one, the final three miles of the marathon, starting where he fell.

“We’re raising money for Help for Heroes, a cause he ran and died for. He was our friend and hero. Please share this page far and wide.” ore than £70,000 had been raised on that page by early Tuesday morning.

Capt Walker-McClimens of the 7th Parachute Royal Horse Artillery served with Capt Seath in the 19th Regiment The Royal Artillery The Highland Gunners in Tidworth. They then went on tour together to Afghanistan in 2012, returning at the same time.

“We have stayed in touch ever since, he was at my wedding last year,” said Capt Walker-McClimens. “He was the greatest type of guy you could imagine – everyone loved him. He was funny, outgoing, generous – he was just not a bad guy in any way, shape or form.”



Well-wishers have been paying tribute to Seath on the charity page. One fellow marathon runner wrote: “I’m so sorry to hear this, I passed James yesterday and prayed he would be OK. My thoughts and deepest sympathy are with all his family and friends.”



Martin King, who donated to the charity in memory of Seath, wrote: “I didn’t know you, but hope this helps those you raised money for and your family under such tragic circumstances. RIP.”

Another person wrote: “I was one of the spectators who witnessed this yesterday and I’m so sorry to hear this news. We all really hoped he’d pull through. What a heroic man, RIP David.”



Anna, who also donated, wrote: “Kind, considerate, courageous and excellent company. He was a good friend to me when my son, one of Dave’s best mates, was in Afghanistan.”

Seath, who was from Arbroath in Angus, Scotland, completed two master’s degrees at the University of Aberdeen before joining the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2009.

Before the run he posted on his JustGiving page: “A big thank you to everyone that has been so generous and sponsoring me for tomorrow. I am sure H4H [Help for Heroes] will be equally as appreciative. Every penny counts and to have broken the 200 mark with your help is very special. Thank you all so much.”

Since his death the total on his JustGiving page has risen to almost £4,000 donated by about 250 supporters.

Prof Sanjay Sharma, a cardiologist at St George’s, University of London, who has been medical director of the London Marathon since 2007, said: “This young man’s death is a total tragedy and our thoughts are with his family and friends. Sudden death among people who exercise is a very rare occurrence – just one in 50,000 – and in the whole history of the London Marathon there have only been 14 deaths despite a million people taking part.

“While exercise has enormous benefits for the vast number of people, including their physical and mental health, cardiologists are also aware that one in 300 people in the UK, aged 12-35, have an electrical or structural fault with their hearts which could lead to sudden death. Warning signs of problems might include a heaviness in the chest or disproportionate breathlessness during exercise and dizziness or loss of consciousness.

“There is help available, such as the work by the Cardiac Risk in the Young charity based at St George’s, University of London, which screens 20,000 young people every year to this end. People should get screened for heart problems if they have concerns so we can try to put an end to such tragedies in the future.”

In the London Marathon’s 35-year history, 11 participants have died. Before Seath, the most recent death of a competitor in the 40,000-person race was Robert Berry, shortly after he crossed the finish line in 2014.

