Olympian Greg Rutherford shares health update after terrifying A&E ordeal
Greg Rutherford has shared an update on his health after he was rushed to hospital by his fiancée Susie Verrill on Sunday following a suspected allergic reaction.
The former Strictly Come Dancing star, 36, was left “clawing at his skin” and “screaming in pain” before going into a delirious state following a run.
The British track and field athlete’s other half urgently drove him to hospital out of fear he “would stop breathing” after she was told by 999 to expect a 40-minute wait for an ambulance.
The influencer detailed how she watched as Rutherford went into a drugged-like state before being “pumped full of steroids and antihistamines” in A&E.
After news of his hospital dash came to light, the ex-Olympian took to his Instagram Story on Monday to thank followers for their outpouring of support and well wishes.
He shared: “Just to say a big thanks to everybody for reaching out and sending well wishes, and everything else.
“I’m much better today. I still have itches on my skin but nothing obviously like yesterday at all. All the rash has gone away now which is great.
“I went to see the doctor again today to get some stronger antihistamines, just in case it happened again,” he continued.
“So it’s now just going to be a case of figuring out what it was and hopefully never happening again. But I do really appreciate everyone that’s reached out to me and to Susie.
“Hopefully it doesn’t happen again because it was horrific, I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone.”
The long jump gold medallist had been on a run and thought he was suffering an allergic reaction before he phoned his “terrified” wife-to-be, shouting “you need to get here now” over the weekend.
When she returned to the family home, Ms Verrill found him “clawing at his skin” and when she called the emergency services she was told they would be waiting 40 minutes for an ambulance.
Fearing the worst, the blogger, who has been driving for three months, drove him to A&E. She recalled being on the phone to a 999 call handler while in the car, who told her to “be safe, but hurry” to the hospital.
“It was awful, I was just waiting for him to stop breathing while also trying not to crash us,” she shared on social media.
“I threw him out at A&E, parked and when I got there they told me they’d sent him through to resus [resuscitation].
“I think mainly because he was a six foot three bloke acting like a psychopath and they didn’t want to scare anyone, but they also pumped him full of steroids and antihistamines and it seemed to work pretty much immediately.
“Thankfully by the time I got there he’d stopped screaming and raking himself. After three hours we were allowed to go home. I felt close to having a heart attack but aside from that it’s all good on the health front.”
Ms Verrill said doctors advised Rutherford get tested for a nut allergy which he may have developed, but also suggested it could have been a viral illness.
“I can’t explain how much pain he was in. This is a bloke who shrugs off a grumbling appendix,” she said.
After fans questioned if Rutherford could’ve come into contact with a plant that caused the reaction, Ms Verrill added: “We don’t think it was any sort of plant because the reaction began before he went for his run (although we appreciate this may have exacerbated symptoms with the sweating).
“Greg’s having some tests this morning so hopefully it can start the ball rolling and if I don’t get back to you just yet, I’m so sorry.
“I’ve had about 500 messages already! Really, really appreciate all the advice.”
The couple, who met in 2012, have welcomed three children together, Milo, Rex and Daphne.
They were due to marry earlier this year after postponing their big day due to the pandemic, but delayed their plans after the death of a close family member.
