Long Beach : 3 Credited With Saving Life of Stricken Runner

A Long Beach police officer, an off-duty nurse and a spectator were being credited with taking quick medical action to save the life of a 64-year-old Claremont runner who collapsed Sunday in the last mile of the Long Beach Marathon.

Bonard Morse’s condition was downgraded from critical to serious Wednesday at St. Mary Medical Center, where he was taken after the 11:20 a.m. incident Sunday on Shoreline Drive at Linden Avenue. Hospital spokeswoman Mary Jane Foster said Morse was believed to have suffered a heart attack, but tests were pending.

Police Officer Tom Ross, nurse Bonnie Schofield and spectator Dino Troche worked together in administering cardiopulmonary resuscitation to Morse until paramedics arrived, police spokesman Sgt. Bob Gillissie said.

“They didn’t hesitate to take some action,” Gillissie said.