Gabby Logan halts BBC's Great North Run coverage to deliver tragic news about Claire Lomas
The renowned BBC presenter Gabby Logan interrupted the Great North Run broadcast to announce the deeply sad news that a past participant had died this week.
After having hosted during the Olympics, Gabby took up her presenting duties back on Tyneside for the live coverage of the Great North Run. She kicked off proceedings with the introduction of a special rendition of the beloved anthem 'Local Hero,' played using the brand-new arrangement by Guitar Heroes from Mark Knopfler's track.
Following the tribute performance, viewers were treated to a montage of memorable moments spanning over 43 years of the event, featuring iconic scenes such as Mo Farah's final appearance at the run and the remarkable Claire Lomas, who completed the course in 2016 wearing a bionic suit.
Claire, aged 44, had faced incredible challenges after sustaining life-changing injuries from a riding accident that left her with a broken neck, back, ribs and a punctured lung 17 years prior. Defying expectations, she raised £1 million for charity and even took part in the London Marathon in 2012.
But it was during this broadcast that Gabby shared the heartbreaking update of Claire's death, reports Chronicle Live.
Taking a sombre pause, Gabby relayed to audiences: "You may have recognised Claire Lomas in her bionic suit, which she wore to complete the Great North Run, having been paralysed in her sport, eventing."
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Gabby then sadly announced: "Well, it is very sad news I bring you that Claire died in an accident in Jordan a few days ago," and went on to acknowledge Claire as an 'incredible inspiration,' promising a more comprehensive tribute would follow later in the show, alongside Great North Run founder Sir Brendan Foster.
Earlier this week, Claire's family confirmed her passing in a brief statement: "We are absolutely devastated to lose Claire. We would ask people to respect our privacy in the coming days to allow us to grieve in peace."
Despite being told she would never walk again, Claire defied expectations by completing the London Marathon in 2012 using a bionic suit. The feat took her 17 days and raised £220,000 for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation.
Claire also had the honour of lighting the cauldron for the 2012 Paralympic Games and later completed the Great North Run and the Great South Run in her bionic suit.
In recognition of her significant contribution to fundraising for spinal injury research, Claire was awarded an Honorary Degree in 2016. She resided in Melton Mowbray with her husband Dan and their two young daughters.