AUTOPSY VERIFIES CAUSE OF DEATH FOR MARATHONER KELVIN KIPTUM
"The first, second, and third ribs were broken on the left side, and the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and seventh ribs were shattered on the right side. Lung injuries were also present. When I look at the serious brain injuries that killed the late Kelvin, they resemble injuries from a car accident more than anything else."
Government pathologist Dr. Johansen Oduor disclosed that the decedent, Kelvin Kiptum, the holder of the Marathon World Record, passed away due to serious brain injuries he experienced in an automobile accident.
Dr. Oduor told reporters that the late marathoner died as a result of severe skull fractures at the base of his skull on Wednesday, following a post-mortem on the body at Eldoret Hospital mortuary.
Serious brain injuries were sustained by the late Kelvin. Significant fractures to the skull, primarily at the base, resulted in the spinal cord protruding into the canal cavity. He added, "In addition, there were several rib fractures on both sides.
"The first, second, and third ribs were broken on the left side, and the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and seventh ribs were shattered on the right side. Lung injuries were also present. When I look at the serious brain injuries that killed the late Kelvin, they resemble injuries from a car accident more than anything else."
To ascertain whether any outside circumstances contributed to the deceased's demise, biological samples have been taken from him, according to Dr. Oduor.
"We've collected samples for additional examination since the cause of death is being looked into. To find out if anything could have led to his demise, the samples will go through a thorough toxicological study," he stated.
On their part, Kiptum's family expressed satisfaction with the autopsy's findings.
"We are happy with the outcomes of the investigation. I saw the entire procedure, which began at approximately 11 a.m. and ended at approximately 1:40 p.m. A spokesman for the late Kiptum's family, Philip Kiplagat, stated, "We are currently waiting for the samples they have said will be taken for analysis."
"Mwili itatolewa hapa kesho ielekee nyumbani Naiberi; Kwa Jerunya. Hafla ya maombi itafanyika Chepsamo Primary School mahali alikuwa anasomea na village ambaye alikuwa anaishi."
Kiptum and his Rwandese coach, Gervais Hakizimana, perished in a terrible car accident on February 11.
Kiptum and Hakizimana perished instantly as a result of the catastrophic car disaster that happened at around 11 p.m. in the Kaptagat area along Elgeyo Marakwet-Ravine road.
After setting a record for the quickest marathon debut in Valencia in 2022, Kiptum gained notoriety in the sporting community.
When he won the London Marathon in April of 2023 with a course record of 2:01:25, the 24-year-old star's career took off.
To be the first man to complete a marathon in under two hours and one minute, Kiptum broke the men's world record in October, posting a time of 2:00:35, which cut the previous record held by fellow Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge by 34 seconds.
A Kenyan athletics official had earlier told AFP that President William Ruto would be present for Kiptum's burial on Friday, which is scheduled as a "state function".
President Ruto's itinerary forced a day's change in the funeral from its original scheduled date of Saturday.
What's Your Reaction?
