Knoxville man awakens from coma after S.C. race

Knoxville man awakens from coma after S.C. race

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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WATE/AP) - A Knoxville man who collapsed during a marathon in South Carolina last weekend has been awakened from a medically induced coma.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reports Alan Gassel was awakened by doctors at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center.

Wendy Graziani says her husband started talking and was aware of his surroundings about two hours after he was awakened Tuesday.

"He's awake and speaking," she told the Sun News. "He has no short term memory and does not even remember leaving Knoxville. Other than that, he's quite aware of everything before."

Gassel collapsed around mile 18 of the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon on Saturday.

Several runners including a doctor helped Gassel until emergency medical technicians arrived.

Portions of this report Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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