Police in Santa Barbara, Calif., are investigating "suspicious circumstances" after nearly 20 runners were hospitalized with unusual symptoms following a half-marathon, though organizers believe the illnesses were heat related.
California police probe 'suspicious circumstances' after nearly 20 hospitalized following half-marathon
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Police in California are investigating "suspicious circumstances" after nearly 20 people were hospitalized following a half-marathon, with several runners reporting "unusual symptoms."
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital alerted police after several runners from Sunday's half-marathon came in "seeking medical treatment for unusual symptoms" following the race, the Santa Barbara Police Department said in a news release, according to CBS Los Angeles.
"The cause of the reported symptoms has not been confirmed," police said. "There is no specific action recommended for the public at this time; however, participants who feel unwell should seek medical attention and follow guidance from healthcare professionals."
Police said those hospitalized either arrived on their own or were transported by ambulance.
A spokesperson for Cottage Health said in a statement to the outlet that the number of emergency visits from the half-marathon was larger than expected.
"We have a larger than expected number of emergency visits that are tracked to participants of this morning's organized run in SB," Cottage Health said. "This morning 19 patients arrived at Cottage EDs, a number of them with similar symptoms of undetermined cause."
The hospital spokesperson said they are still trying to determine if the symptoms were caused by heat or other factors.
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A spokesperson for the group who organized the half-marathon said they believe the hospitalizations were heat-related, according to ABC 7.
"At this time, we have no reason to believe that there was anything out of the ordinary that occurred during today's race, besides typical heat-related illness or exhaustion that can take place while participating in long endurance events such as a half marathon," the spokesperson said.
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According to the Los Angeles Times, around 7,500 people participated in the half-marathon.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Santa Barbara Police Department, Cottage Health and race organizers for comment.
Adam Sabes is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Adam.Sabes@fox.com and on Twitter @asabes10.