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Doctor helps save teenager during Virginia Beach Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon

Posted at 10:35 PM, Sep 10, 2015
and last updated 2015-09-10 23:27:38-04

Virginia Beach, Va. - "It was like out of a sick movie," said Dr. Adrianna Amarillo as she described trying to save a teenager. A 17-year old collapsed last weekend during the Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon.

Dr. Amarillo was running the last mile of the race on the boardwalk when she heard something behind her. "I hear a woman scream, 'Somebody help! Medical!' I turn around and I see the woman standing over top of a body."

The 17-year old, named Greg, went into cardiac arrest and didn't have a pulse. Amarillo quickly began performing CPR. "It went from a lovely Sunday, where we're all doing this race and having a good time to somebody dying. Essentially he died. His heart stopped."

Luckily for grave, Amarillo is a resident doctor with the U.S. Navy. EMS arrived on scene a few minutes later and brought Greg back. He was taken to CHKD, where that night by chance Dr. Amarillo was on duty. "When I found out he was coming to my ICU, I was so happy because then I basically got to watch him again that night," she said.

Greg is doing better, according to Amarillo, but is still on a respirator. It's not clear exactly what happened during the race. Amarillo is just glad she could help at the race and again that night. "He got sent back to me for a reason. I don't know what that reason is."