Organisers slam photo-snapping fans after marathon collapse

Commonwealth Games organisers slammed bystanders for taking pictures of stricken runner Callum Hawkins after his dramatic collapse while leading the marathon today.

Officials also defended the medical response after the Scot, who was clearly unsteady and fell over twice, lay unassisted on the ground for some time before help arrived.

In temperatures nudging 30 degrees Celsius (85 Fahrenheit) on Australia's Gold Coast, Hawkins was ahead by more than two minutes when his legs buckled and he plunged onto a kerb.

The 25-year-old struggled to his feet to continue but was clearly in distress and shortly afterwards, with just over a mile (two kilometres) to go, he stumbled heavily into a roadside barrier, banging his head as he fell.

There was an anxious wait before any assistance reached Hawkins, by which time Australia's Michael Shelley was passing the scene on his way to winning gold.

Organising committee chief executive Mark Peters took issue with bystanders who were seen filming Hawkins on their phones as he lay on the ground.

"I like many others was distressed to see a wonderful athlete like Callum collapse during the closing stages of today's marathon," said Peters.

"I was also concerned about the behaviour of a small number of bystanders who chose to take images. This is not in keeping with the spirit of GC2018." Hawkins was taken to hospital in an ambulance, where he was sitting up and talking and not thought to be in serious danger, Team Scotand said.

Medical staff with radios were posted every 500 metres along the course, the organising committee said, adding that medical help was given to Hawkins when he requested it.

- Cramping up -
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"I thought hopefully I can get to the finish line because I was starting to get cramps in my hands."