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A "hero" army captain running the London Marathon to raise money for wounded soldiers collapsed and died four miles from the finish line.

Afghanistan veteran and Green Beret David Seath was an officer in the 29 Commando Regiment, part of the Royal Artillery.

The 31-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest near the 23-mile mark of yesterday's race, which saw about 38,000 runners take part.

He was rushed to hospital by London Ambulance Service paramedics but died a short while later.

Mr Seath had hoped to raise £250 for charity Help for Heroes, which assists former soldiers who have suffered life changing injuries while on duty. He smashed his target, raising close to £700 before the race.

Mr Seath grew up in Cowdenbeath, near Dunfermline in Fife. According to his LinkedIn page he studied International Relations and Management Studies at the University of Aberdeen, where he later achieved a masters.

He attended Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the elite officer training centre, before becoming a commissioned officer in 2010.

He had also served in Afghanistan and commanded a six person team in “hostile environments” as a gunner.

A day before the run he posted online: "A big thank you to everyone that has been so generous and sponsoring me for tomorrow. I am sure H4H 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."

Friend, James Walker-McClimens has begun organising for Mr Seath’s friends and colleagues to walk the last three miles of the marathon in his memory.

On an online fundraising page set up in tribute, Mr Walker-McClimens wrote: “Today we heard the tragic news that our friend Dave Seath passed away whilst taking part in the 2016 Virgin London Marathon.

“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.”

Donations have begun pouring in to the charity page.

One tribute, written by a woman named Susie, said: “RIP Dave. You will be truly missed. A true gentleman and a hero.”

Another person wrote: “An unbelievable tragedy, such a terrific bloke.”

A third tribute said: “RIP Dave, true gentleman and commando soldier.”

Another posted: "A decent man. Terrible news."

Organisers of the London Marathon and and a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence were not immediately available to comment.

Mr Seath’s death comes two years after father-of-two Robert Berry, 42, from Newbury, Berkshire, collapsed and died after crossing the finish line in 2014.

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