The funeral of a soldier who died just three miles from the finishing line at the London Marathon will be held this week.
Aberdeen University graduate Captain David Seath, 31, suffered a suspected cardiac arrest while running the 26.2 mile course on April 24 and later died in hospital.
The Afghanistan veteran and Green Beret, originally from Cowdenbeath in Fife, but based in Plymouth, Devon, was a fire support team commander in 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.
He will be laid to rest following a funeral in Dunfermline on Thursday, the army has confirmed.
The service will be held at St Margaret’s RC Memorial Church in the town and will be led by parish priest Father Chris Heenan.
His family have said the service will be a “celebration of David’s life”, and mourners are encouraged to wear bright colours.
Capt Seath spent four years in the Granite City studying political science, as well as a further year completing a postgraduate in strategic studies before joining the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2009.
After news of the tragic incident emerged, friends from his time in Aberdeen paid tribute online.
Pal Andy Leighton wrote: “You were my best friend in the locker room, had my back on the lacrosse pitch, my best mate at university, the funniest roommate and my brother forever.
“I always thought about you when you were in Afghanistan, but never thought your journey would end so prematurely yesterday (Sunday). Thank you for being my friend.”
University supervisor and director of studies James Wyllie added: “I had no doubt that he had all the qualities required to be an excellent army officer. I would like to offer my sincere condolences to his friends and family from everyone here at the University of Aberdeen.”
Following his death, Capt Seath’s friends and colleagues vowed to continue to raise money for his chosen charity, Help for Heroes.
More than £100,000 has been donated to a Just Giving page in his memory, while over £77,000 has been raised for the charity on his own page.
