Aberdeen runner wants to thank those who came to her aid when she fainted in the street

An Aberdeen runner has said “thank you” to those who came to her aid after she fell and knocked herself out.

At lunchtime on Tuesday, Anna Cruickshank set off on her usual run around Aberdeen.

The 40-year-old has been running every day for three years after taking up the hobby as a new year’s resolution.

Mrs Cruickshanks said: “I literally hadn’t even started running yet. I just went to the junction between Union Grove and Ashley Road and pressed the button to cross the road.

“As soon as I started running, I basically tripped and fell on my face on the pavement.”

As she fell Mrs Cruickshank hit her head and fainted. She was unconscious for around five minutes.

While she was on the ground, strangers rushed to help.

Mystery good samaritans

“One girl gave me water, and she gave me a chair to sit on in the shade before the ambulance came,” the mum-of-two said.

“Another girl was apparently a junior doctor, somehow she appeared there as well. So lucky for me that she was there.

“She was holding her arm under my head while I was in the recovery position. The lady she was basically laying with me on the pavement, trying to make sure that I was alright.

“The other couple were foreign, and they called the ambulance and were with me the whole time. They offered me a lift home too.”

After being checked over by the ambulance, Mrs Cruickshank decided that she would not need a trip to the hospital and was picked up by her husband Paul.

She has lived in Aberdeen for 15 years after moving to the city from Poland.

‘I would love to see them again’

“I have no idea who the people were that helped me,” she continued.

“My head couldn’t concentrate on anything. I don’t remember any of the names at all. I don’t know if they live in the area or if they were just walking past.

“I would love to see them again and give them a massive thank you.”

In a post on social media, Mrs Cruickshank wrote: “I would love to say thank you to all the amazing people who stopped by when I was unconscious and looked after me until the paramedics arrived. Massive thank you to the ambulance as well.”

Mrs Cruickshank’s husband had previously been in the army, so the couple have been running and boxing together for years. Together they ran the 16-mile route at The Aberdeen Kiltwalk in 2021.

She continued: “It shows it can happen to anyone.”