News


RunnerSamnow onmendathome


A TEENAGE runner whose body went into “shut down” 200 yards from the finish line in a competi- tion race is out of intensive care and back home. Invicta Grammar student Sam Bartholomew (18), was rushed to hospital after collapsing on the track during the 10k competition run in Gravesend on Au- gust 5. His parents were watching the race, and only re- alised their sonwas in difficulty after race officials raised the alarm. Dad Terry, of


Rectory Lane South, West Malling, said: “He gaveme the thumbs up as he entered his last lap, but then I saw those who were behind him cross the line and thought he’d slipped back, or itwas him the St John team were talking about. I jogged over and saw him lying on the track.” The seriousness of the incident be-


came clear as the family headed for Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, where Sam’s wildly beating heart and erratic body temperature forced


doctors to put him into a coma. Mr Bartholomew said: “We are


now pleased to say that Sam is out of intensive care. He was released from King’s College Hospital after three weeks in a coma and is pro- gressingwell at home.” He believes the family’s return


from a holiday in America just two daysprior to the race, the heat on the day and dehydration combined cat- astrophically to prompt the condi- tion rhabdomyolysis, where the body breaks down muscles causing multiple organ failure. Sam, who previously attended Maidstone Grammar School, suf- fered failures of the heart, lungs and liver and was on dialysis as he fought to pull through. His dad said: “His whole body


was affected. Fortunately, things are now moving in the right direction. The medical teams are looking at whether an infection brought about the reaction but it remains unclear. “Fortunately, Sam being young


and fit has helped and he is talking about returning to do his A levels and going on to university, although he may have to miss a year to re-


Coming Home: Conflict and Care in 1916


downsmail.co.uk Dan hopes to race to the top


MOTORsport fanaticDanParker, fromSnodland, hopes he’sontrack tomake it into the nation’s touring car championships. Dan (36), who left the Army in 2002 to concentrate on his driving, will


make his debut in theUKClio Cup - one of the best proving grounds for those looking to progress to touring cars. Like other successful drivers, such as Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button,


Dan began his racing career on the karting track, with spells behind the wheel racing pick-up trucks, BMWs, and Formula Fords. But with all to play for this season,


Danis first getting into the best shape possible before putting the pedal to the metal . “The fitter you are, the better the re- actions,” says Dan. “That’s why I like to box, to improvemy reflexes. I also play for Stone Cricket Club. ” Dan hopes a successful campaign in the Clio Cup will provide a good plat-


form to progress on to the British Touring Car Championship. What all the races have in common is the huge costs – put at about £120,000 a season. He explains: “I have got to start finding companies to fund the season. Everyone gets a good return on investment as the races are shown live on terrestrial TV.With good funding, I can achieve success.”


Reward for return of lost pet


A DISTRAUGHT owner is offering a reward of £300 for the return of her beloved dog Bobby.


Elaine Bent-


ley last saw the 12-year-old miniatureYork- shire terrier playing in her garden in Mill


Street, East Malling on September 7. She said: “He is very small and friendly. I believe he was taken.We have searched everywhere but there has been no sign of him.” Mrs Bentley has reported the inci-


dent to the police and lost pet sites on social media. If you can help, please call her on 07743 982932 or 01732 490543


‘Arrival of a Conv


Arrival of a Convoy of Wou


Wo nded Sol


ounded Soldiers at Maidstone East by F ank Hy de


s at Maidstone East’’,, by Frank Hyde


Saturday 24 September 2016 to Saturday 7 January 2017


An exhibition expl oring the experiences of the peopl e in two paintings of 1916 in the Museum’s collections - ‘T rones Wood’


xpl o d’’’,, a battlod’, a battl FREE Supported by Supported by: and the Queen’s Own Royal Ws Own Royal West Kent Re Tu ent Regiment Museum Trust


Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 - 17:00, Sunday 12:00 - 16:00, Monday Closed Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery


fac om/MaidstoneMuseum @MaidstoneMuseum p 01622 602838 www.maidstonemuseum.org 14 Malling October 2016 xperiences


e in two painting s coll


b ttl e scene from the Somme


and ‘‘Arrival of a Convoy of WArrival of a Convo y of Wounded Soldiers at Maidstone East’.


diers at Maidstone East’ ‘Trones Wood’, by Frank Hyde ones W Wo y F ‘If the Kaiser Should Come’


Saturday 8 October, 14:00 - 15:00 Hear a fascinating illustrated talk by military historian Victor Smith on the land, sea and air defences across Kent in the First World War.


£5 per person, £4 concessions and MMF members. Booking essential.


Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery, St Faith’s Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1LH facebook.com/MaidstoneMuseum


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